Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.10, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site.

# Dining With Strangers

Interviewing strangers over a meal since 2008 (as featured in the Washington Post)

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://diningwithstrangers.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Help SheShe Celebrate 10 Years Of Artistry](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/06/12/help-sheshe-celebrate-10-years-of-artistry/) - Azusa Sheshe Dance – the singer and actress featured as the 142nd dinner interview – is celebrating a decade of New York artistry this year, and could use our help getting to the Summer Cabaret Conference later this month to mark it. Since moving to the city from Memphis, Tennessee, in 2016 she's performed as
- [Throwback Thursday 116: Jane Lynch & Kate Flannery Are Two Lost Souls](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/06/18/throwback-thursday-116-jane-lynch-kate-flannery-are-two-lost-souls/) - "I'm going to compare ourselves to some greats now, so please forgive me – Burns and Allen. We know who we are and we know how to set each other up." Jane Lynch arrived to the 116th dinner interview at Hugo's Restaurant in West Hollywood ready to fix the blinds, quiz me about my life,
- [Interview 146: Math Teacher Nick Sevilla On Food, Community And Being 'Mr. 8 That'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/06/03/interview-146-mr-8-that/) - By day Nick Sevilla is a middle school math teacher in Germantown, Maryland. By night – and most weekends – he's "Mr. 8 That," a TikTok food creator with over 25,000 followers watching him eat his way through the DMV's hidden gems, from Nigerian restaurants in Wheaton to food trucks on Rockville Pike run by
- [Charles Cecil's Broken Sword Goes To Hollywood](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/05/20/charles-cecils-broken-sword-goes-to-hollywood/) - "Broken Sword," a point-and-click adventure game by Charles Cecil (the 127th dining stranger) is becoming a film. Variety reports that Charles, who heads Revolution Software, will produce the movie with Noirin Carmody and Story Kitchen, and Evan Spiliotopoulos – the screenwriter for Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast" – writing the script. At lunch with
- [Interview 145: Actor Pete Gardner On Improv, Manifestation And Earning A Day Off](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/05/04/interview-145-pete-gardner/) - Pete Gardner spent decades as one of the hardest-working people in comedy that you'd never heard of. Improv stages in Chicago, guest spots on TV, near-misses that would have broken most people's resolve. Then came “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” the musical comedy series where he played the lovable Darryl Whitefeather – and everything clicked. In the 145th
- [Mikko Celebrates Eight Years With Vappu Menu](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/05/01/mikko-celebrates-eight-years-with-special-menu/) - Happy anniversary to Mikko Kosonen, who opened his Nordic restaurant on R Street NW eight years ago because, as he told me in the 118th dinner interview, nobody else in Washington was doing it. The former Finnish embassy chef has been educating D.C. diners about his type of food ever since – one bowl of
- [Throwback Thursday 115: Weekday With Bernie](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/05/14/throwback-thursday-115-weekday-with-bernie/) - "Get the early show if you can — look at the state of me, I'm not even buying green bananas anymore." Bernie Clifton was 82 and two days from the end of a pantomime run when I caught up with him for coffee in Hull in December 2018. In the 115th meal with a stranger
- [Throwback Thursday 114: Keeping The Kitchen Open For 30 Years](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/04/30/throwback-thursday-114-keeping-the-kitchen-open-for-30-years/) - "If we don't talk about someone's criminal backstory then we're just a cooking school and who gives a shit?" Mike Curtin doesn't sugarcoat things. The CEO of DC Central Kitchen sat down with me for breakfast at Unconventional Diner in December 2018, just weeks before the organization marked its 30th anniversary. Throughout the 114th meal
- [Interview 144: Musician Tom Marolda Talks Craft, Feuds And Writing Hits Behind The Scenes](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/04/20/interview-144-tom-marolda/) - Cher. Bon Jovi. Imagine Dragons. Music from the films "Stayin' Alive" and "Rocky." If you're familiar with these names or titles, you've probably heard Tom Marolda's work – you just didn't know it. The Grammy-nominated songwriter, performer and producer has spent decades as one of music and Hollywood's most dependable hitmakers, his name absent from
- [Throwback Thursday 113: Medium Rare](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/04/02/throwback-thursday-113/) - "You can't be all things to all people. Do one thing and do it well," says Mark Bucher. He's built his entire Medium Rare restaurant philosophy around that principle, achieving success with a simple idea. . When I sat down for dinner with him at his Arlington location in November 2018, he walked me through
- [Dining With Strangers On Instagram](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/03/31/dining-with-strangers-on-instagram/) - After 16 years and 143 dinners, Dining With Strangers is finally on Instagram. Starting today, I'm archiving the entire interview series on Instagram from the very beginning in November 2008, when I had brunch with a friend in New York and came up with the idea for this site. Each post features a photo from
- [Throwback Thursday 112: Getting The Last Laugh With SNL's Alex English](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/03/19/throwback-thursday-112-getting-the-last-laugh-with-snls-alex-english/) - Growing up in Detroit, Alex English never thought about a career making people laugh. But once he left the city and moved to New York, an impromptu decision to take part in a comedy club’s open mic night made him decide to become a professional comedian. He’s written for television, performs regularly in New York
- [Interview 143: Christine Hamilton On Scandal, Reinvention And Being Happily Retired](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/02/23/interview-143-christine-hamilton-talks-scandal-reinvention-and-being-happily-retired/) - “Battleaxe,” “wife from hell,” “Lady Macbeth” – Christine Hamilton has heard every insult. She gained notoriety during the 1990s cash-for-questions scandal that ended her husband Neil's political career, bankrupted them, and seemingly defined their lives forever. Nearly 30 years later, journalists still can’t write about the couple without re-litigating the past. But Christine worked hard
- [Greener Grass' Jeb Brooks Talks Economy Airfare Limits](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/03/08/jeb-brooks-talks-economy-airfare-limits/) - Jeb Brooks, the 141st dining stranger, is quoted in a Washington Post article today on the slow dismantling of basic economy perks, specifically the major airlines' decision to stop letting budget passengers earn frequent-flier miles. Jeb and his wife Suzanne spent a day in April 2025 testing basic economy across three airlines for their YouTube
- [See 'Two Halves Of Guinness' With Zeb Soanes](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/02/18/zeb-soanes-alec/) - Actor and broadcaster Zeb Soanes, the 28th dining stranger, is touring in England over the coming months with "Two Halves Of Guinness," a new play about acclaimed thespian Sir Alec Guinness. It marks the 25th anniversary of Guinness' death. The two-time Oscar winner appeared in almost 70 plays, 50 films and more than a dozen
- [Throwback Thursday 111: Dining Out With Donna Lynne](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/02/12/throwback-thursday-111-dining-out-with-donna-lynne/) - In October 2018, I was fortunate to spend a lengthy, fun lunch in Los Angeles with Donna Lynne Champlin for the 111th interview with a stranger. Donna Lynee is an actress with an impressive and growing resume, including an extensive stage and Broadway career, a self-produced album, film appearances, and television credits including her role
- [Seeking Strangers To Interview Over A Meal](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/02/03/seeking-strangers-to-interview/) - Do you have an interesting career or hobby? Want me to take you out for a meal? Either way, if the answer is yes to one or both of those questions, get in touch to book a dinner with a stranger. Launched in late 2008 by me (Anthony), Dining With Strangers is a long-running interview
- [Throwback Thursday 110: Freaky Boiz](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2026/01/29/throwback-thursday-110-freaky-boiz/) - The first dinner interview of the year, and the 143rd overall, will be online in a few weeks. Today's article is a throwback to my 110th interview. In October 2018 I had lunch with Pierre Phipps and Terrance Wilson, also known as gay rap duo Freaky Boiz, to hear about how they're making a mark
- [12 Strangers: My Dinner Interviews In 2025](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/12/31/12-strangers-my-dinner-interviews-in-2025/) - A dozen meals spanning politics, real estate, subway singing, athletics, motels and more
- [Interview 142: Lunch With New York Subway Performer Azusa Sheshe Dance](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/12/15/interview-142-azuza-sheshe-dance/) - Singer and actor Azusa Sheshe Dance doesn’t wait for permission to get what she wants. A self-taught performer with a powerhouse voice and a signature shock of pink, she’s carved out a life on her own terms, from a breakout role in a production of “Hairspray” to becoming a beloved fixture in New York City’s
- [Throwback Thursday 109: Demetrius Harmon Wants You To Be Happy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/12/11/throwback-thursday-109-demetrius-harmon-wants-you-to-be-happy/) - Demetrius Harmon found fame online several years ago making video comedy skits on the since-defunct app Vine. It gained him a following of more than two million people combined between Instagram and Twitter. Now he’s looking to use that massive audience to spread a positive message. For the 109th dinner with a stranger, back in
- [Cookin' With Congress' Bennett Feeds Ken Burns](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/11/24/cookin-with-congress-ken-burns/) - Want to know what Americans ate 250 years ago? Bennett Rea, featured this summer as the 140th dining stranger, is here to help. He's the host of hit online series "Cookin' With Congress," where he makes often bizarre, occasionally disgusting yet always intriguing recipes from politicians and others from years (sometimes centuries) gone by. He
- [Rest In Peace Margarita Pracatan](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/06/24/farewell-margarita-pracatan/) - Very sad news with the passing of Cuban singing sensation Margarita Pracatan. Calling her "one of a kind" doesn't do Margarita justice. She developed a unique style as a performer, winging the notes on her electric keyboard and singing however she wanted regardless of what the song required. If she didn't know some of the
- [Interview 141: Jeb Brooks Talks Traveling The World For His YouTube Series 'Greener Grass'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/11/10/interview-141-jeb-brooks-talks-traveling-the-world-for-his-youtube-series-greener-grass/) - For someone who spends half his life traveling, Jeb Brooks has the kind of upbeat energy that makes you wonder if he even knows jet lag. For the 141st dinner interview, we met at Filomena — a D.C. institution dripping in Venetian décor and Halloween skeletons — to talk about Greener Grass, the hit YouTube
- [Listen To Lorraine Bowen's Christmas Crackers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/11/19/news-3/) - The "Mistress of Melody" Lorraine Bowen, the 47th dining stranger, writes and sings quirky songs about unusual subjects, but also has experience playing in bands with the likes of Billy Bragg. She gained many fans on "Britain's Got Talent" playing her one-of-a-kind song about cooking the dessert crumble -- and now you can see her
- [Jonn Elledge Writes 'The World As We Built It'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/11/05/jonn-elledge-books/) - Writer Jonn Elledge (the 131st dining stranger) is writing his next book, "The World as We Built It: A History of Civilisation in 31 Innovations." Wildfire Books will be publishing it, slated for August 2026. Wildfire Books says in a press release, "The book tracks the ideas and inventions that enabled humanity to become, by
- [Michael Hitchcock Stars In 'The Lowdown'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/10/22/michael-hitchcock-stars-in-the-lowdown/) - Actor Michael Hitchcock (the 65th stranger I met) has a prominent role in the new FX television show "The Lowdown." It's described as a "Tulsa noir" and stars Ethan Hawke as a citizen journalist seeking to uncover corruption. Michael plays Ray, an antiques dealer of questionable trustworthiness who is a friend of Hawke's character. He's
- [Throwback Thursday 108: Parkway For Poor Boys](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/10/30/throwback-thursday-108-parkway-for-poor-boys/) - One of New Orleans’ signature culinary items is the poor boy, or po’ boy, sandwich, and Parkway Bakery & Tavern is among its most popular vendors. It was founded in 1911 but closed in 1993. Then along came Jay Nix. For the 108th interview, in September 2018, Jay told me the unlikely story of how
- [Radio Presenter Zeb Soanes Named University Of Suffolk Chancellor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/10/03/zeb-soanes/) - Radio presenter, actor, writer and all-around charming man Zeb Soanes (the 28th dinner stranger) has a new gig. He was recently selected as the University of Suffolk's new chancellor. In a post on his website, Zeb said taking over the role from former Chancellor Dr Helen Pankhurst CBE is "a profound honor" and "I look
- [See Ada Campe In Christmas Panto 'Growled'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/10/08/see-ada-campe-in-christmas-panto-growled/) - Growing up in England, one tradition was going to pantomimes, or pantos, around Christmas. These shows take fairy tales and similar stories, throw in a hundred and one puns and jokes even my dad would be embarrassed to tell and all with deliberately over-the-top acting and outfits. And a recent dinner stranger is performing in
- [Discover Hill Center At Joe Himali's History Salon](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/09/03/discover-hill-center-at-joe-himalis-history-salon/) - Joe Himali, the 133rd dinner stranger, is hosting the next of his regular History Salon lunches in Washington, D.C., later this month. It's at Hill Center; a local landmark built in 1864 and originally designed under the orders of President Abraham Lincoln to be the city's first Naval Hospital. For the History Salon on September
- [Get A Workout With Raine's Strength Club](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/08/17/take-part-in-raines-strength-club/) - Personal trainer Raine Storm McKeython, the 134th dinner interviewee, is launching "Raine's Strength Club" later this month. The event, in Washington, D.C., will feature him leading a group training, followed by guided meditation and then a cookout with a DJ to celebrate at the end (and make sure you eat enough protein to get your
- [Throwback Thursday 106: Dino's Grotto](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/09/11/throwback-thursday-106-dinos-grotto/) - Discussing dining with the owner of an Italian-inspired restaurant
- [Throwback Thursday 107: Erick Lopez Explains](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/10/16/throwback-thursday-107-erick-lopez-explains/) - For the 107th interview with a stranger, in September 2018, I traveled to Brooklyn for lunch with actor Erick Lopez. At the time, he was well known for his role as Hector in the comedy musical TV show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Over a relaxed meal at a diner, Erick shared how acting wasn't his main interest
- [Interview 140: Bennett Rea Talks About His Viral Series 'Cookin' With Congress'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/08/18/interview-140-bennett-rea-talks-about-his-tiktok-series-cookin-with-congress/) - For the 140th interview, I got lunch with Bennett Rea, creator of the viral hit series Cookin’ With Congress. His show blends history, humor, and the occasional possum to recreate the eating habits of American politicians. Over steak sandwiches in Burbank, California, we talked about terrifying appetites, bizarre recipes, and what it’s like going full-time
- [Throwback Thursday 104: Uncorking André Hueston Mack](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/08/14/throwback-thursday-104-uncorking-andre-hueston-mack/) - André Hueston Mack left a successful career in the banking sector to indulge his true passion of wine, becoming a sommelier at some of the United States’ top restaurants. He gained major attention as the first African-American to win the Best Young Sommelier in America in 2003. A few years later, he launched his own
- [Interview 139: Lunch With Actor Robert Factor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/08/04/interview-140-lunch-with-cookin-with-congress-creator-bennett-rea/) - “I’m a great talker,” Robert Factor told me when I invited him to lunch. “People love my stories.” He wasn’t kidding. For the 139th interview, I met the endearing actor and writer at Panda Inn in Glendale, California. Across a table of Chinese food, Robert shared tales from a life that’s gone from juvenile hall
- [See Jane And Kate In 'The Trouble With Angels'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/08/01/news-2/) - Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery, featured together as the 116th dinner interview, are getting back on the road for another of their cabaret shows. This time, it's "The Trouble With Angels" and described as "An evening of mischief and music from two very familiar faces. It’s like the Rat Pack but with a couple of
- [Throwback Thursday 103: The Evolution Of Environmental Justice](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/07/31/throwback-thursday-103-the-evolution-of-environmental-justice/) - The 103rd dinner interview was my January 2018 meal with Mustafa Santiago Ali, an environmental justice expert. During a 24-year career at the Environmental Protection Agency, Mustafa Santiago Ali focused on environmental justice, which is addressing disproportionate adverse pollution impacts on low-income and minority communities. In March 2017 he quit the agency, disillusioned by the
- [Interview 138: Dinner With CNN's Manu Raju](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/07/21/interview-138-dinner-with-cnns-manu-raju/) - For the 138th dinner interview, I met Manu Raju, CNN’s chief congressional correspondent, at Pascual in D.C. We talked about covering Capitol Hill chaos, prepping for high-stakes interviews, breaking agenda-setting scoops, getting yelled at by politicians on live TV, and how he balances it all with family life. A generous, thoughtful conversation with one of
- [Throwback Thursday 105: Storytelling Through Food](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/08/28/throwback-thursday-105-storytelling-through-food/) - Growing up in Detroit, Jamila Robinson loved to cook with her grandmother. She’s kept that passion for food throughout her life, putting it to good use in a series of editing roles at major news organizations around the country curating stories about food and dining. Jamila later moved to Washington, D.C., where we met for
- [Throwback Thursday 102: Kurt Fuller Is 'That Guy'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/07/17/throwback-thursday-102-kurt-fuller-is-that-guy/) - Character actor Kurt Fuller has been in countless movies and TV shows — Ghostbusters II, Wayne’s World, Psych, Midnight in Paris, much more — and yet people still come up to him asking, “How do I know you?” Kurt’s fine with being “that guy” people recognize but can’t quite place, even if it means reciting
- [Interview 137: Lunch With Brian 'The Motel Guy'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/07/07/interview-137-brian-the-motel-guy/) - Brian Acosta Arya didn’t set out to become TikTok-famous — but his heartfelt, funny, and often emotional videos about life at his family’s New Jersey motel have struck a chord with more than a million followers. For the latest dinner with a stranger, we met over Korean barbecue to talk about the long road to
- [Throwback Thursday 101: Rabbis And Llamas And Foreheads, Oh My!](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/06/26/throwback-thursday-101-rabbis-and-llamas-and-foreheads-oh-my/) - Portraits of rabbis blessing basketballs. Llamas with fruit on their heads. Foreheads — just foreheads — painted alongside strange, thoughtful objects. Welcome to the wonderfully weird world of Jonathan Blum. For the 101st dinner in December 2017, I joined the Brooklyn-based artist for a meal at Rasika in Washington, D.C. We talked sales hustles, spiritual
- [Interview 136: Dinner With Artist Doudgy 'Dew' Charmant Talking Painting And More](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/06/16/interview-136/) - The 136th dinner interview is my meal with Doudgy "Dew" Charmant, a well-known Washington, D.C., artist. Painting in vibrant, warm colors with acrylics and oils, his works often focus on human expressions with startling depth — drawing the viewer in and keeping them engaged. His creations tell stories that can shift with each new look.
- [Bee Lady Day Honors Jean Bishop's Life](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/05/19/bee-lady-news/) - The first Bee Lady Day took place in Hull, East Yorkshire, last week to honor the life of fundraiser Jean Bishop. Jean, featured as the 69th dinner stranger in December 2014, was renowned in the region for her work. For decades, she'd dress in an eye-catching bumblebee costume to raise thousands of pounds for Age
- [Throwback Thursday 100: Brigtsen's](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/05/22/throwback-thursday-100-brigtsens/) - Since 1986, Frank Brigtsen has owned and operated the namesake restaurant Brigtsen’s, a New Orleans landmark. For the 100th dinner interview, in September 2017, Frank talked with me about how he got into cooking, training under the famous Chef Paul Prudhomme, and how he set up his own place — as well as his desire
- [See Alex English At Austin's Cap City Club](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/05/12/news/) - Emmy-nominated writer and standup comedian Alex English -- recently a writer on "Saturday Night Live" and several years ago the 112th stranger featured on this site (I'll let you decide which honor is most prestigious) -- is performing in Austin, Texas, this coming weekend. He'll be at the Cap City Comedy Club's Red Room on
- [Throwback Thursday 99: Changing Cuba](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/05/15/throwback-thursday-99-changing-cuba/) - Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Sebastian Arcos started to turn against the Castro regime in his late teens. His family, including his internationally noted dissident father, became targets of the government. For the 99th dinner interview, in Miami in July 2017, Sebastian told me about his eventual move to the Florida city, and how
- [Throwback Thursday 98: Meet The Fontanas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/05/08/throwback-thursday-98-meet-the-fontanas/) - Broadway fans may appreciate the 98th meal with a stranger, which was actually two strangers -- Tony Award-winner Santino Fontana and his wife Jessica. Both actors, they didn’t know each other when they moved to New York to pursue their careers on stage, but eventually they met and were married in 2015. In March 2017,
- [Dining With Strangers Now Also On Substack](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/05/05/dining-with-strangers-now-also-on-substack/) - In the interests of expanding the readership of this site beyond just my mum and dad (though I'm grateful for them), a couple of friends suggested that I start posting my articles to Substack. And I do as told, so the Dining With Strangers Substack is now up. Feel free to sign up and get
- [Hear ‘John and Jim’ At DC's National Cathedral](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/05/02/hear-john-and-jim-at-dcs-national-cathedral/) - Following on from yesterday's Throwback Thursday article highlighting my dinner with the 97th stranger Jim Obergefell, there's a related event coming up next month at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. David Danzmayr, music director of the Oregon Symphony, will conduct a concert by the National Orchestral Institute and Festival Philharmonic. The program includes "John
- [Throwback Thursday 97: Obergefell v. Inequality](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/05/01/throwback-thursday-97-obergefell-v-inequality/) - The 97th dinner with a stranger took place in February 2017 with Jim Obergefell. He was the lead named plaintiff in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that led to the 5-4 ruling in June 2015 finding the Constitution guarantees the right of same-sex couples to marry across the United States. Almost two years after
- [Interview 135: Dining With New York Lounge Singer Dani Luv Talking Sinatra And Schmaltz](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/04/21/interview-135-wtwtw/) - For more than 20 years, Dani Lubnitzki – better known as Dani Luv – has played the piano and cracked Borscht Belt-style jokes for his many fans at the much-loved New York restaurant Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse. In the 135th dinner interview, Dani shares tales from his past, all with a sprinkling of his blunt, hilarious
- [Interview 134: Lunch With Personal Trainer Raine Storm McKeython](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/04/01/interview-134-wtwtwt/) - Let's get physical with the 134th interview with a stranger -- my meal with personal trainer Raine Storm McKeython. A (mostly) lifelong resident of Washington, D.C., Raine grew up with a love and natural talent for basketball, with childhood dreams of playing in the NBA. He carried this through to college, even battling through asthma
- [Throwback Thursday 95: Racism: America’s Past, Present & Future Problem](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/03/27/throwback-thursday-95-racism-americas-past-present-future-problem/) - For the 95th dinner interview in December 2016, I met W. Ralph Eubanks. He's a researcher, writer and more and a self-described “light-skinned” African American who spent his childhood growing up among the racial strife of the civil rights era in Mississippi. Since then, he’s had an extensive career both writing and teaching on racial
- [Rest In Peace Tom Fitzmorris](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/03/28/rest-in-peace-tom-fitzmorris/) - Far too late with posting this news, but food critic and radio host Tom Fitzmorris died on February 12 in his beloved hometown of New Orleans, at the age of 74. It was due to complications from Alzheimer's disease, NOLA.com reports. Tom was the 49th stranger interviewed for this site in August 2013. We met
- ['If Only For One Night' With Monika Pickett](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/04/11/wtwtwtw/) - Author Monika Pickett, the 128th stranger featured on this site, is hosting a talk and book signing, "If Only For One Night," in Atlanta on Thursday May 22. It's hosted by Mimi Faust, who was featured on "Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta," and in addition to Monika's reading there will be a musical performance by
- [Throwback Thursday 96: Out To Sea With Matt Yee](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/04/10/throwback-thursday-96-out-to-sea-with-matt-yee/) - My 96th dinner interview took place on a cruise ship somewhere in the Caribbean back in January 2017. That's when I met Matt Yee, who at the time was a mainstay on gay and straight cruises, and also in high demand on land, for his drag cabaret show. Over a long and highly enjoyable dinner
- [Read Jonn's History Of The World In Paperback](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/03/21/elledge-borders-paperback-march/) - Writer Jonn Elledge, the utterly charming, smart and funny 131st dinner interviewee, was the first interview on this site in almost five years back in January. He discussed his book “A (Brief) History of the World in 47 Borders,” which at the time was only available in hardback or audiobook (I got the latter and
- [Interview 133: Lunch With Real Estate Agent Joe Himali Talking Architecture And TikTok Fame](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/03/12/interview-133-dinner-with-realtor-joe-himali-learning-about-dcs-architectural-history/) - "Hi, I'm Joe Himali." Spend any time on social media and you might be familiar with that greeting from Joe, a real estate agent in Washington, DC, who has found viral fame with his quirky videos sharing architectural secrets in the city and beyond. I met Joe in the District for the 133rd interview with
- [Interview 132: Brunch With Naomi Paxton Talking Ada Campe, Suffragettes And More](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/02/24/interview-132-naomi-paxton/) - For the 132nd meal with a stranger, I met Naomi Paxton in London for an enjoyable brunch. She's an academic, researcher, magician, performer and more, always on the move as she hustles for her various interests. It means she wears many hats, the most obvious being the literal colorful hats, often twice the size of
- [Gary Krist Talks 'Trespassers at the Golden Gate'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/03/07/krist/) - Gary Krist, a New York Times-bestselling writer of historical non-fiction and the 70th stranger I met, will be in DC next week to talk about his latest book. He'll discuss Trespassers at the Golden Gate: A True Account of Love, Murder, and Madness in Gilded-Age San Francisco at Politics & Prose on Wednesday March 12
- [Interview 131: Jonn Elledge's (Brief) History Of The World In 47 Borders](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/02/10/interview-131-jonn-elledges-brief-history-of-the-world-in-47-borders/) - After an almost five year hiatus, Dining With Strangers is back! For the two or three people still reading this site (thanks mum and dad), I'm glad to restart the dinner interviews. The site launched in 2008, and I met many strangers for meals, writing 130 profiles. When the pandemic hit in early 2020, people
- [Dining Out: America Eats Tavern](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/01/27/dining-out-america-eats-tavern/) - A few years ago I experimented with doing mini restaurant reviews in order to keep this site frequently updated between dinner interviews (which can range from every week to every few months). It fell by the wayside but I'm eager to post more than just the interviews, so I'm going to revive the idea with
- [Dining Out: The Musso & Frank Grill](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/05/dining-out-the-musso-frank-grill/) - Last month on a trip to Los Angeles I returned to The Musso & Frank Grill. It's a Hollywood institution, in business since the days of Charlie Chaplin and over the years a prime spot to see celebrities dining out. In May 2015 I learned about the restaurant's ups and downs when I did the
- [Dining Out: All-Purpose Pizzeria](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/25/dining-out-all-purpose-pizzeria/) - All-Purpose Pizzeria is a great place to try in the District for pizza and other Italian fare. Last week, I went with 11 friends to the business' Capitol Riverfront location by the Nationals baseball park. The restaurant can be a little tricky to find as it faces the river not the street (the clue's in
- [Dining Out: Doi Moi](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/09/dining-out-doi-moi/) - In March I made my first visit to DC restaurant to Doi Moi, whose menu is inspired by dishes found in Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. It won't be my last visit. I went with Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff on the Supreme Court's 2016 gay marriage case, who
- [Dining Out: K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/16/dining-out-k-pauls-louisiana-kitchen/) - Earlier this month I returned to New Orleans, one of my favorite cities. The holiday gave me a chance to revisit some wonderful restaurants, starting on the first night with dinner at K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen in the French Quarter. I've never done a Dining With Strangers review at this restaurant, and the one time I
- [Dining Out: Redfish Grill](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/15/dining-out-redfish-grill/) - My recent trip to New Orleans started with a trip to a great restaurant (K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen) and ended with lunch at another wonderful venue, the Redfish Grill on Bourbon Street. I realize some people might look down on going to such tourist-friendly establishments, but they've never let me down and I leave the dinner
- [Throwback Thursday 94: Going, Going, Gone To Dinner](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/03/20/throwback-thursday-94-going-going-gone-to-dinner/) - In September 2016, I offered dinner with me as a prize in a silent auction for a fundraiser, after being contacted by the organizers who were hosting the auction for charity. David Stivaletta, an accountant in Washington, DC, bid the winning amount. That’s how we came to meet for Italian food for the 94th dinner
- [Throwback Thursday 93: Life Behind The Lens](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/03/06/throwback-thursday-93-life-behind-the-lens/) - Brad Rushing is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer who has enjoyed great success in charge of photography for movies, music videos, commercials, and more. During a visit to DC in September 2016, he met me for the 93rd dinner with a stranger to talk about how he got into the industry and his life behind the
- [Bernie's Journey From Crackerjack To Vegas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/01/31/bernies-journey-from-crackerjack-to-vegas/) - Missed this when it happened but it's still fairly recent, so here we are: British entertainer Bernie Clifton finally released his autobiography, "Crackerjack to Vegas," and has been on tour in the U.K. to promote it. Bernie featured on this site as the 115th stranger, back in December 2018. I met him in Hull, England,
- [Tired Old Queen At The Movies Hits 21K+](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/01/12/tired-old-queen-at-the-movies-hits-21k/) - I'll be doing the 131st and 132nd dinner interviews -- the first in almost five years -- next week in London. If you'd like to be featured on this site, simply click here to book a dinner and we'll take it from there. In the meantime, I've been checking up on the people featured in
- [Throwback Thursday 91: Arts & Advocacy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/02/06/throwback-thursday-91-arts-advocacy/) - In June 2016, I met youth advocate and artist JR Russ in Arlington, Virginia, for the 91st meal with a stranger. JR told me how he loves the world of theater and dance, and has since he was a child. But these days he finds his passion for the arts starting to reach a genuine
- [Throwback Thursday 92: Senator Larry Pressler And The Quest To Save Democracy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/02/20/throwback-thursday-92-senator-larry-pressler-and-the-quest-to-save-democracy/) - Former U.S. Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD) is concerned about the state of politics, fearing it’s become so bitter and broken that it’s impossible to advance good laws. Now out of Congress and officially an independent, he told me about his one-man bid to save democracy — and also about his extensive career in and out
- [Stephen Tobolowsky Stars In 'Poolman'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/01/20/stephen-tobolowsky-stars-in-poolman/) - More news about strangers I missed last year! Actor and writer Stephen Tobolowsky, perhaps best known as Ned Ryerson in "Groundhog Day," continues to be one of the most prolific character actors working today. We met in October 2014 at an LA diner for the 66th interview, spending more than two hours chatting about his
- [Michelin Recommends Atlanta's Twisted Soul](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/01/08/michelin-recommends-twisted-soul/) - Even when this site was on hold for the last few years, I've kept up on news from the strangers I met. And today's update is about the last interview before pausing Dining With Strangers due to the pandemic and other things. Deborah VanTrece, the 130th stranger I dined with, is the chef and owner
- [Throwback Thursday 90: An Evening With Eleanor Clift](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/01/23/throwback-thursday-90-an-evening-with-eleanor-clift/) - Eleanor Clift never imagined being a famous political reporter in Washington, DC. For the 90th dinner interview, in June 2016, she told me how her early goal of being a secretary who would be able to type up interesting notes led to a career that has seen her cover every presidential election from Jimmy Carter’s
- [Throwback Thursday 89: The State Senator](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/01/16/throwback-thursday-89-the-state-senator/) - Democratic Maryland state Senator Cheryl Kagan didn’t always plan on a career in politics. But these days she relishes her role representing a large district in the Old Line State. We met for the 89th interview in April 2016, when she told me that the work means she has no private life, but she’s proud
- [Throwback Thursday 88: On The Road Again](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/01/09/throwback-thursday-88-on-the-road-again/) - Bill and Laura Johnson spend at least half of every year traveling the United States in their motor home. In April 2016, they were passing through Nashville, Tennessee, while I was visiting the city, so we met for the 88th dinner interview. During our lunch meeting the couple told me how they came to love
- [Throwback Thursday 87: Everybody Comes To Nellie's](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2025/01/02/throwback-thursday-87-everybody-comes-to-nellies/) - In 2007, Doug Schantz achieved his dream of owning a gay sports bar in Washington, DC, when he opened Nellie's. Since then, the bar has become a fixture in its neighborhood. In March 2016, for the 87th interview I dined with Doug at the venue to talk about its history, as well as his. Doug
- [Seeking Strangers In Several Places](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/12/23/seeking-strangers-in-several-places/) - Wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I'm lining up interviews for restarting Dining With Strangers in 2025, with two hopefully taking place in London during my current trip back to the UK. From late January on, I'm looking for people in the United States -- and around the world -- who
- [Trespassers At The Golden Gate](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/12/10/trespassers-at-the-golden-gate/) - Author Gary Krist -- the 70th dinner interviewee back in 2015 -- specializes in writing historical non-fiction about key moments in relatively recent U.S. history, including early 20th century New Orleans, Hollywood and more. I met the New York Times-bestselling writer to discuss Empire Of Sin, his book about the Big Easy, prohibition and more.
- [Throwback Thursday 86: The Future King Of Comedy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/12/19/throwback-thursday-86-the-future-king-of-comedy/) - By 2016, Victor Pope Jr. had amassed more than one million followers on Vine, a now-defunct phone app where he performed six-second comedy skits with his offbeat humor. When we met for the 86th dinner interview in February that year, Victor told me his real passion was for standup comedy. During our meal in Arlington,
- [Throwback Thursday 85: Black September](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/12/05/throwback-thursday-85-black-september/) - Back in January 2016, I met Dave Hindman for the 85th dinner with a stranger. During our meal at Ledo in College Park, Maryland, Air Force veteran Dave shared his experiences during “Black September,” a tumultuous time in the Middle East in the 1970s. He said he was planning to write a book on the
- [Looking For Strangers To Interview](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/10/22/looking-for-strangers-to-interview/) - Want a free meal and to share your life story? Get in touch. I keep threatening this, but in 2025 Dining With Strangers will finally resume. I paused the site during the pandemic and then life intervened in the years since. Now I'm trying to sort out the first few interviews for early in the
- [Charles Cecil Reforges Broken Sword](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/09/23/charles-cecil-reforges-broken-sword/) - Revolution Studios, the software company co-founded by 127th dinner interviewee Charles Cecil, is getting plaudits for the recently released Broken Sword: Reforged -- an update to a landmark adventure game first released in 1996. The new version features remastered graphics, improved audio, reworked scenes and more to provide a fresh take on a classic game.
- [Throwback Thursday 84: Tales From The Town Crier](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/10/10/throwback-thursday-84-tales-from-the-town-crier/) - The 84th dinner interview took place on December 29, 2015, with Michael Wood in Willerby, England. He’s an award-winning town crier who loves his work. Although Michael keeps the ancient art of town crying alive and well in his community, it’s just one of many unusual careers he’s enjoyed. During a pub meal of fish
- [Throwback Thursday 18: The Many Lives Of Mary Ann](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/30/throwback-thursday-18-the-many-lives-of-mary-ann/) - The 18th Throwback Thursday is my April 2010 lunch in Providence, Rhode Island, with Mary Ann Sorrentino to talk about her many careers. She's worked in medical care, been a local radio show host and columnist, and was an abortion rights advocate while serving as head of the state's Planned Parenthood. For that latter role
- [Throwback Thursday 83: Cycling Through America](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/09/19/throwback-thursday-83-cycling-through-america/) - Ines Verbeke was born in the United States but raised in Belgium, and has always wanted to visit the country of her birth. So at the age of 25 she has launched an ambitious effort to cycle across America, starting in the Northeast. During a brief stop in Washington, DC, Ines reached out for a
- [Quiz The Tired Old Queen At The Movies](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/04/27/quiz-the-tired-old-queen-at-the-movies/) - Steve Hayes, also known as the "Tired Old Queen At The Movies," has a one-man show next month in New York. He'll be performing "Quiz The Queen" which promises to be "an evening of hilarity, surprises and unexpected anecdotes as we try and stump [Steve] by showing him various clips from classic movies to see
- [Throwback Thursday 82: The Swiss Ambassador](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/08/22/throwback-thursday-82-the-swiss-ambassador/) - In 2015, Martin Dahinden was the Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States. He was also the 83rd stranger to dine with me. His staff at the Swiss Embassy were incredibly generous to arrange an evening of a special menu for the two of us, taking place at the gorgeous Swiss Residence in Washington, DC. “When
- [Meet Ben Claasen III At Artomatic](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/04/18/meet-ben-claasen-iii-at-artomatic/) - Ben Claassen III, the artist behind the comic DIRTFARM and the 43rd stranger featured on this site, is taking part in the ongoing Artomatic in Washington, D.C. It's a multimedia arts festival now in its 25th year, with dozens of local artists exhbiting their work, along with a marketplace where you can meet the creators
- [Rest In Peace Matt Yee](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/05/01/rest-in-peace-matt-yee/) - Far too late in posting this sad news but I still wanted to pay tribute to the memory of singer and performer Matt Yee. Matt, the 96th stranger featured on this site, was diagnosed with liver cancer at the start of last year and unfortunately passed in December in his native Hawaii. Outgoing, friendly, musically
- [Throwback Thursday 81: Night Of The DC Dead](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/05/09/throwback-thursday-81/) - Where were we? As I slowly get this site back up and running ahead of hopefully resuming dinner interviews later this year, one regular feature that's returning is Throwback Thursday -- a sequential look back at past dinners. The previous throwback update was in March 2021(!) when I shared memories of the 80th interview, a
- [Jane Lynch & Kate Flannery Are Swingin' Into Christmas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2024/09/08/jane-lynch-kate-flannery-are-swingin-into-christmas/) - Actresses Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery -- featured as the 119th dinner interview a few years ago -- are hitting the road again with their popular festive show "A Swingin' Little Christmas." They'll be joined by Tim Davis (Glee’s vocal arranger) and The Tony Guerrero Quintet for a show full of festive tunes, comedy and
- [Rest In Peace Burt Young](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2023/10/30/rest-in-peace-burt-young/) - Actor Burt Young, perhaps best known for his recurring role as Paulie in the Rocky movie series, has died at 83. I had the incredible honor of meeting Burt for a very enjoyable afternoon in October 2011 for the 39th dinner interview. We met at his apartment in Port Washington, New York, and the day
- [Medium Rare Expands To New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2023/09/09/medium-rare-expands-to-new-orleans/) - Medium Rare, which has three restaurants in the Washington, D.C., area, is expanding to New Orleans. As WTOP reports, Medium Rare recently opened a venue in the Crescent City featuring its unique, and very brief, menu of bread and butter, house salad and steak frites, with a secret sauce that keeps many people coming back
- [Switzerland's Culinary Footprint](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/06/13/switzerlands-culinary-footprint/) - Apologies for the lack of updates. More interviews are in the works, so stay tuned. In the meantime, here's an update on a stranger I met last year. Martin Dahinden, Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States -- and the 82nd stranger I've met for dinner -- was interviewed recently by Food Insight, talking about
- [A Night At The Swiss Residence](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/03/a-night-at-the-swiss-residence/) - For Dining With Strangers articles I try to avoid returning to the same dining establishments after featuring them -- but on Wednesday I made an exception when I returned to the residence of Martin Dahinden, Swiss ambassador to the United States. Martin and I first had dinner at his residence in November 2015, when he
- [Crying Out Loud](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/04/25/crying-out-loud/) - Town crier Michael Wood -- the 84th stranger I met -- took part earlier this month in an attempt to set the world record for the World's Loudest Crier. Click here for some details on the competition, which was part of broader celebrations to celebrate the reformation of the East Riding of Yorkshire. That's the
- [Britain’s Best Town Crier Ambassador](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/08/23/britains-best-town-crier-ambassador/) - Town crier Michael Wood (the 84th stranger) has won yet another award. Michael, who lives in England's East Riding of Yorkshire where I grew up, was voted Britain's Best Town Crier Ambassador at the Loyal Company of Town Criers British Championship. The contest took place last month in Biddulph, Staffordshire, and Michael got an engraved
- [Discovering Dallas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/02/20/discovering-dallas/) - Spent last weekend in Dallas, Texas, for the 86th dinner interview. Beyond chatting with a comedian (look for the article next week) I also got to explore the city. That included a wander around Dealey Plaza, the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. It was a weird experience. There's a large white X painted
- [Living With Bipolar Disorder](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/05/07/living-with-bipolar-disorder/) - Comedian Victor Pope Jr. is best known for hilarious six-second skits on the app Vine and longer sketches on his YouTube page, which he's been updating frequently. But last month Victor -- the 86th person featured on Dining With Strangers -- released a much more personal video about living with bipolar disorder. The entire video
- [Proud Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/06/16/proud-strangers/) - The events in Orlando have touched me deeply. In the eight years that I've been doing this website, I've met many people (90 as of today), and several of them are gay. I'm proud to have met them all. Last week's tragedy makes it more important than ever that the voices of the LGBT community
- [The UnNaugural Concert](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/01/11/the-unnaugural-concert/) - President-elect Donald Trump takes office January 20th, and will probably head to a couple of inaugural balls that night -- but Maryland State Senate Cheryl Kagan (the 89th dining stranger) has an alternative party planned. The Democratic lawmaker is hosting an "UnNaugural Concert" the same evening to promote progressive causes, featuring Sweet Honey In the
- [Have 'A California Christmas' With Brad Rushing](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/25/have-a-california-christmas-with-brad-rushing/) - Merry Christmas! If you're looking for something festive to watch online today, check out "A California Christmas" on Netflix. In the film's credits you'll see that the cinematography was done by Brad Rushing, the 93rd dinner interviewee. I met Brad, who lives in Los Angeles, when he was on a trip to DC in September
- [Matt Yee's Outrageous Adult Sing Along](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/08/matt-yees-outrageous-adult-sing-along/) - Want to see an entertaining adult variety show? Matt Yee has you covered next Saturday in New York. Matt is a drag singer-songwriter who performs for cruise lines several times a year, packing in gay and straight audiences to hear his riotous act. He covers a huge variety of songs with joy, and I can
- [Matt Yee Returns To NYC For One Night Only](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/04/matt-yee-returns-to-nyc-for-one-night-only/) - It's very short notice but the highly entertaining drag singer-songwriter Matt Yee is returning to New York City to perform for one night only on Friday March 6. He'll be bringing his truly unique show to The Triad at 9.30pm, and tickets are either $25 bought in advance via the venue's website, or $30 on
- [Jim Obergefell Joins Family Equality](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/10/06/jim-obergefell-joins-family-equality/) - Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case from 2015 that backed same-sex marriages, has joined the organization Family Equality which provides legal support and other assistance to LGBTQ+ families across the United States. According to a recent press release from the group, "Obergefell will be lending his time and talents to
- [Brigtsen's Beard Award Nomination](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/27/brigtsens-beard-award-nomination/) - Frank Brigtsen, chef and owner of his namesake New Orleans restaurant Brigtsen's, has been nominated for Outsanding Service in this year's James Beard awards. I met Frank in September 2017 for the 100th dinner interview. He talked me through a number of menu options, explaining in detail the thought behind what I was eating. And
- [Brigtsen's Gets Another James Beard Foundation Award Nomination](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/02/brigtsens-gets-another-james-beard-foundation-award-nomination/) - I could almost cut-and-paste a blog post on this topic from last year, but the fantastic Creole restaurant Brigtsen's in New Orleans has once again been nominated for a James Beard Foundation award. For 2020 the venue is up for the Outstanding Hospitality award, and after several visits to the restaurant (including a Dining With
- ['Stay-At-Home' With Brigtsen's Spring Cookbook](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/05/05/stay-at-home-with-brigtsens-spring-cookbook/) - Frank Brigtsen, chef and owner of New Orleans restaurant Brigtsen's, is currently social distancing at home during the coronavirus pandemic. But that hasn't kept him out of the kitchen, and he's just released a "Stay-At-Home" spring cookbook with 19 recipes. It costs $25 and can be bought directly from Brigtsen's website. "This collection of recipes
- [Jonathan Blum Hits The Road](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/06/jonathan-blum-hits-the-road/) - Artist Jonathan Blum, a portrait painter featured on this site as the 101st dinner stranger, has just announced the shows where he'll be presenting his unique works in the coming months. If you live in either New York or Washington, DC, I can highly recommend trying to meet Jonathan; his art is wonderful and he's
- [On The Road With Jonathan Blum](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/12/on-the-road-with-jonathan-blum/) - Portrait painter (and 101st stranger featured on this site) Jonathan Blum has announced his travel plans for November and December, so if you're looking to meet him and buy some of his unique art here's your chance. He'll be at festivals and other events in New York and Washington, DC. I met Jonathan for dinner
- [Ask The Expert: 12 Questions For A Winemaker](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/04/25/ask-the-expert-12-questions-for-a-winemaker/) - André Hueston Mack, 45, is a winemaker and former sommelier at some of the world's top restaurants including French Laundry in Yountville, California, and its sister venue Per Se in New York City. He got into the wine industry after quitting a successful desk job in the financial investment sector, learning the craft of a
- [Ask The Expert: 12 Questions For A Restaurateur](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/06/06/ask-the-expert-12-questions-for-a-restaurateur/) - Dean Gold, 60, is the executive chef and owner of Dino's Grotto, an Italian-inspired restaurant in Washington, DC's, Shaw neighborhood. It's the second incarnation of the venue after he shuttered his prior restaurant Dino in the Cleveland Park neighborhood due to declining business after a several years-long run. Last week, I dined with him at
- [Dean Gold Closing Dino's Grotto](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/02/dean-gold-closing-dinos-grotto/) - Sad news courtesy of the Washington City Paper's Laura Hayes, who reports that Dean Gold will soon close his DC Italian-inspired restaurant Dino's Grotto. In May 2018 I met Dean for dinner at his restaurant for the 106th Dining With Strangers interview. It was his second attempt at making a success of a dining venue,
- [On The Search For Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/07/31/on-the-search-for-strangers/) - Want a free meal? Join me for dinner and share your life story for Dining With Strangers. My last interview was back in May with Dean Gold of Washington, DC, restaurant Dino's Grotto and I'm looking to organize the next few interviews. I've got the 107th dinner coming up in early August, and open to
- [Parkway Bakery Shipping Poor Boys Nationwide](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/11/09/parkway-for-poor-boys-shipping-nationwide/) - During the coronavirus pandemic, restaurants have grappled with how to adapt to a takeout or delivery focus rather than in-house dining -- and many are struggling with whether they can stay afloat. I've written before about the different ways that chefs and restaurateurs that I've interviewed for Dining With Strangers are adapting, and the other
- [Have Some Laughs With Alex English In DC](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/10/30/have-some-laughs-with-alex-english-in-dc/) - This is very short notice, but if you live in DC and want a good laugh, check out Alex English's standup show on Saturday October 31. Alex, the 112th stranger featured on this site, will be performing an outdoors socially distanced set at 8pm, though doors open at 7.30pm. The show will take place in
- [Alex English At The Good Good Comedy Theatre](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/12/28/alex-english-at-the-good-good-comedy-theatre/) - If you live in Philadelphia and want to see some stellar standup comedy next month, check out comedian Alex English's show at the Good Good Comedy Theatre on Saturday January 18 starting at 10pm. I met Alex in October 2018 for the 112th interview with a stranger, and over breakfast in Brooklyn he shared the
- [Alex English Joins The National Lampoons](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/24/alex-english-joins-the-national-lampoons/) - Congratulations to comedian Alex English (the 112th stranger featured on this site) who will be part of the cast launching a reboot of the "National Lampoon Radio Hour" as a podcast. The original radio comedy series, from 1973, featured Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner and more. According to Variety, the new series has an
- [Alex English's Underground Comedy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/10/alex-englishs-underground-comedy/) - Want a good laugh? Check out comedian Alex English on his visit to Washington, DC, this weekend. Alex was the 112th stranger featured on this site; we met in his hometown of New York last October for a lengthy breakfast chat about how he first got interested in standup comedy and the ups and downs
- [Medium Rare Plans East Coast Expansion](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2021/02/05/medium-rare-plans-east-coast-expansion/) - Medium Rare, the DC-based steak frites restaurant owned by the 113th dining stranger Mark Bucher, is planning an East Coast expansion. Mark told the Washington Business Journal this week that he's looking to Baltimore as the next location for the restaurant, which offers diners a simple set menu of salad, freshly made bread, and two servings
- [Help Mark Bucher Fill The Fridge](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/09/15/fill-the-fridge/) - Mark Bucher, one of the founders of DC-based steak frites restaurant chain Medium Rare and a former Dining With Strangers interviewee, is launching a new campaign called Fill The Fridge to provide school lunches to communities throughout the District. "We will be providing 1000's of refrigerators filled daily with fresh and free school lunches at
- [Help Fund Medium Rare's Free Steak Dinners For Seniors](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/30/help-fund-medium-rares-free-steak-dinners-for-seniors/) - Following on from my recent post about DC-based steak frites restaurant Medium Rare delivering free steak dinners for seniors during the coronavirus, their kind campaign could now use a helping hand. Company co-founded Mark Bucher has launched a GoFundMe campaign with an ambitious $250,000 goal for funds that will be used solely for making and
- [Share Your Story, Get A Free Meal](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/11/01/share-your-story-get-a-free-meal/) - Do you have an interesting life story? Want a free meal? Join me for dinner! Every Friday for the last few weeks I've been uploading new dinner interviews with people ranging from internet personalities to actors to the owner of a landmark New Orleans sandwich shop. Tomorrow I'll post part two of my two-part interview
- [Medium Rare Delivering Seniors Free Steak Meals During The Coronavirus](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/17/medium-rare-helping-out-during-the-coronavirus/) - Here's a much-needed good news story: DC-based steak frites restaurant Medium Rare is offering free dinners to people aged over 70 in the District who are self-quarantining as a result of the coronavirus. "The meal consists of steak, fries, salad, bread and desert free of charge during this pandemic," according to WLJA, just one of
- [Help Matt Yee Fight Liver Cancer](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2023/04/05/help-matt-yee-fight-liver-cancer/) - Matt Yee needs your help. The exuberant entertainer, for decades a fixture on cruises around the world, is currently battling liver cancer. Matt was the 96th stranger interviewed for this site, and we met at a restaurant on a cruise ship somewhere in the Caribbean Sea back in January 2017. He told me about how
- [Throwback Thursday 4: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Franklin](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/15/throwback-thursday-4-the-curious-case-of-benjamin-franklin/) - If you've not read it yet, the 116th dinner is online -- it's my lunch with actresses Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery. It took place last month in West Hollywood, California, and I discovered (and wrote) a lot, including to never sit Jane by a window without blinds, and that, like a Brit, Kate says
- [See Two Lost Souls Sing](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/01/see-two-lost-souls-sing/) - Actresses Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery, featured on this site in the 116th Dining With Strangers interview, tour occasionally with a cabaret show of humor and music called "Two Lost Souls" -- and it's coming to Minneapolis this Friday May 3. When we met, they talked about how they first started singing together and said
- [Kate Flannery Dances With The Stars](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/08/22/kate-flannery-dances-with-the-stars/) - Kate Flannery, featured in the 116th dinner interview and perhaps known as Meredith from the U.S. version of The Office, will be one of the contestants on the next series of Dancing With The Stars. The full cast of 12 celebrities taking part also includes NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, supermodel Christie Brinkley, Karamo Brown
- [Jane Lynch Wins An Emmy, Creates A Netflix Show](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/18/jane-lynch-wins-an-emmy-creates-a-netflix-show/) - Jane Lynch, featured on this site as the 116th stranger along with her occasional performing partner Kate Flannery, is working on a new Netflix comedy show that's said to be a modern day take on "The Golden Girls." According to Variety, Jane is working on the show alongside singer Cyndi Lauper and Seinfeld writer and comedian Carol Leifer
- [See A Swingin' Little Christmas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/11/19/see-a-swingin-little-christmas/) - Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery (my dining companions for the 116th dinner interview in January) are hitting the road with their annual festive concert "A Swingin' Little Christmas" in California, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and New York. They'll be joined at each of the shows with singer Tim Davis, who was the musical arranger for the
- [Two Lost Souls Back On Tour](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2021/09/27/two-lost-souls-back-on-tour/) - Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery are back on the road to sing some songs. The hilarious actresses, featured together as the 116th dinner interview back in January 2019, have known each other for decades and turned their love of singing into some live shows -- and they'll be performing them in the coming months. The
- [Steve Hayes: With A 'Hitch'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/22/steve-hayes-with-a-hitch/) - Steve Hayes, the 117th dinner stranger and best known for his YouTube series "Tired Old Queen at the Movies," knows how to tell a good story about Hollywood's yesteryear. He's also an accomplished actor, and will be putting both those skills to use in a one-night one-man show in New York next month dedicated to
- [Steve Hayes Is So Inclined](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/25/steve-hayes-is-so-inclined/) - Visiting New York for World Pride? Want something fun to do on Friday June 28? Buy a ticket for the one man show “Steve Hayes Is So Inclined,” taking place at 7pm. Steve, the 117th stranger featured on this site, is the host of the YouTube series “Tired Old Queen at the Movies” where he
- [Steve Hayes: Incidentally](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/02/steve-hayes-incidentally/) - Steve Hayes, the 117th dinner interviewee and host of YouTube classic film review series "Tired Old Queen at the Movies," will be sharing stories about his show and his performing past in New York on April 7. You can buy tickets in advance online for his one-man show, "Steve Hayes: Incidentally," which will be at
- [Throwback Thursday 7: No Regrets](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/07/throwback-thursday-7/) - The seventh throwback Thursday is to my May 2009 dinner in Brooklyn with single mother Lynda Eselp, who maintains a relentlessly upbeat outlook on life despite some past set-backs. In more up-to-date news, I'm tentatively scheduled to have the 118th dinner with a stranger next week in New York City. If you'd like to be
- [Mikko's Pride Party](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/03/mikkos-pride-party/) - Chef Mikko Kosonnen, owner of namesake Nordic restaurant Mikko in DC, will be hosting a party for the city's annual Capital Pride parade on Saturday June 8. His restaurant is right by the parade route, offering a prime spot to check it out from the comfort of his welcoming patio while dining on his wonderful
- [Vote For DeAngelo Jackson At The XBIZ Awards](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/13/vote-for-deangelo-jackson-at-the-xbiz-awards/) - Adult model DeAngelo Jackson (the 121st dinner interviewee) is among the several contenders for an accolade at the upcoming XBIZ Awards, which is an annual awards ceremony dedicated to the adult entertainment industry. The event has been running for more than 15 years and has all the glitz and glamor of a regular Hollywood party,
- [Throwback Thursday 34: Florida's Funambulist](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/19/throwback-thursday-34-floridas-funambulist/) - Side note before today's throwback: Apologies for not uploading a dinner interview since my June lunch in New York with adult model DeAngelo Jackson, but I *finally* sat down with a stranger for the 122nd interview last week and the 123rd will be happening next week. They'll be online later this month. Anyway, the 34th
- [Throwback Thursday 36: Celebrating Charleston](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/03/throwback-thursday-36-celebrating-charleston/) - Before getting into the 36th Throwback Thursday, a reminder to sign up for my mailing list to get notified when I post a new interview (including the 122nd, coming Monday). The subscription box is top of the right-hand column on the site's main page. My 36th dinner was the second of two interviews from a
- [Sampson McCormick Heads Back To DC (Next Year)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/10/20/sampson-mccormick-heads-back-to-dc-next-year/) - Sampson McCormick, a comedian from DC now based in LA, is returning to his home city next June for two nights of standup performances (assuming social distancing and related restrictions have eased by then). He recently tweeted that he'll be at the venue June 11-12, giving you plenty of advance notice. I met Sampson last
- [Sampson McCormick Visits DC's Comedy Loft](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/02/25/sampson-mccormick-visits-dcs-comedy-loft/) - Sampson McCormick, a DC-born comedian featured as the 124th dinner with a stranger, is returning to his home city next month for several gigs at the Comedy Loft. He'll be performing on Thursday March 5 at 7.30pm, on Friday March 6 at 8pm and 10pm, and on Saturday March 7 at 7.30pm and 9.45pm. As
- [Help Out These Strangers' Restaurants](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/10/help-out-these-strangers-restaurants/) - During the COVID-19 pandemic some restaurants are aiming to stay afloat by offering delivery and takeout service. Among those who could use some love are several restaurants whose owners I've interviewed for Dining With Strangers, so please help if you can however possible. FishScale (Washington, DC) In October last year I interview Chef Brandon Williams
- [Listen To Aaron Myers' Jazz Stories](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/23/listen-to-aaron-myers-jazz-stories/) - Jazz musician Aaron, featured on this site as the 52nd dining stranger, now has a weekly radio show on WPFW called Jazz Stories, along with co-host and fellow musician Amy Bormet. The show features the duo interviewing others artists and activists, all to the tune of a DC jazz-focused playlist. And one of their recent
- [Revolution Software Releases 'Beyond A Steel Sky'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/06/28/beyond-a-steel-sky/) - Revolution Software recently released its latest game, Beyond A Steel Sky, which is a sequel to Beneath A Steel Sky, an adventure game issued in 1994 about a man trying to uncover terrible secrets in a dystopian metropolis that became a cult classic. The sequel is also an adventure and is described by the company
- [Throwback Thursday 48: Life And O'Death](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/02/13/throwback-thursday-48-life-and-odeath/) - Several interviews are in the works (I'm transcribing the 128th dinner and have two lined up for my trip to Atlanta this weekend) so come back soon to read those. In the meantime, here's the 48th Throwback Thursday feature. In February 2013 I traveled to New York to meet goth country musician David Rogers-Berry of
- [Cooking With Chef Deborah](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2021/03/14/cooking-with-chef-deborah/) - Chef Deborah VanTrece, the 130th dinner stranger and owner of the restaurant Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours in Atlanta, is hosting a virtual launch party at 6pm on Tuesday March 16 for "The Twisted Soul Cookbook: Modern Soul with Global Flavors." "I'll be cooking up a few recipes from the book and talking to Dana
- [Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours Reopens In Atlanta](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/07/21/twisted-soul-reopens-in-atlanta/) - Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, the Atlanta restaurant owned by Chef Deborah VanTrece, has reopened with certain safety restrictions because of the COVID-19 crisis. Deborah -- featured on this site as the 130th stranger -- talked to Chowhound recently about the stress involved with trying to keep her eatery afloat amid a pandemic, and how she
- [Interview 81: Night Of The DC Dead](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/10/23/night-of-the-dc-dead/) - Vaughn Irving wants to scare you senseless. He's one of the creative minds behind DC Dead, a temporary attraction for Halloween. Groups of people sign up to enter an abandoned building and must attack -- or in my case, more likely run screaming from -- hordes of zombies that have taken over the building. It's
- [Interview 82: The Swiss Ambassador](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/11/13/the-swiss-ambassador/) - Martin Dahinden is the Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States. He's also the 83rd stranger to dine with me for this site. His staff at the Swiss Embassy were incredibly generous to arrange an evening meal last week for Martin and me, taking place at the gorgeous Swiss Residence in Washington, DC. Martin and
- [Interview 83: Cycling Through America](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/12/11/cycling-through-america/) - Ines Verbeke is cycling through America. She was born in America but raised in Belgium, and long yearned to explore her country of birth. Taking a break from her career, she's finally getting to see the States. Earlier this year, she flew across the Atlantic with a vague plan of buying a bicycle and riding
- [Interview 84: Tales From The Town Crier](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/01/20/tales-from-the-town-crier/) - Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Listen to the tale of Michael Wood! He's an award-winning town crier, keeping that ancient tradition of public proclamations alive. He's traveled across England -- and even to Hollywood, California -- to share his unique art, as he told me during a dinner interview late last month. But as I learned over
- [Interview 85: Learning About Black September](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/02/12/dining-with-dave/) - Dave Hindman is a man of many careers. From the Air Force to work as a University of Maryland (UMD) lab technician, and from a stint teaching classes on car repair to his current work doing environmental permitting for federal agencies, major companies, and others, he has plenty of interesting tales. Dave told me he's
- [Interview 86: Victor's Vines](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/02/26/victors-vines/) - Victor Pope Jr. can make you laugh in six seconds. That's how long his comedy videos are on Vine, an app that lets users upload six-second clips of everything and anything from music performances to rants to comedy sketches. I met Victor for a late lunch in Arlington, Texas earlier this month. He told me
- [Interview 87: A Night At Nellie's](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/04/01/a-night-at-nellies/) - Doug Schantz doesn't care for sports and doesn't cook -- but that didn't stop him from following through on his dream of opening a gay sports bar in Washington, DC. Nellie's Sports Bar has been open since 2007 and remains incredibly popular with a mixed gay and straight crowd, with different events each night. In
- [Interview 88: Life On The Road](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/04/29/life-on-the-road/) - Bill and Laura Johnson live on the road. They spend more than half the year traveling in their motor home to various states, motivated only by what they think might be interesting. The couple, both in their 60s, told me that they love the potential of going to new places and meeting new people across
- [Interview 89: Supper With A State Senator](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/05/20/supper-with-a-state-senator/) - Cheryl Kagan would love a private life -- but that's not possible right now. That's because she's the Maryland state senator for district 17, covering Gaithersburg and Rockville. As she told me during a dinner interview, it's a non-stop job that involves a very public life. That makes it difficult for her to indulge her
- [Interview 90: An Evening With Eleanor Clift](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/07/08/an-evening-with-eleanor-clift/) - Eleanor Clift is a famous liberal reporter, perhaps best known to many American television viewers as one of the pundits on the weekly political talk show The McLaughlin Group. Although she's still busy reporting these days writing for The Daily Beast, she took a few hours out of her schedule to get dinner with me
- [Interview 91: Arts & Advocacy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/07/29/arts-advocacy/) - JR "Nexus" Russ is living up to his name. Christened Nexus on his first trip to the Burning Man festival, JR -- an artist in Washington, DC -- finds his professional and personal life increasingly at a nexus. He's heavily involved in the city's arts scene, but equally passionate about his day job as a
- [Interview 92: Saving Democracy With Senator Larry Pressler](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/09/16/saving-democracy-with-senator-larry-pressler/) - Former U.S. Senator Larry Pressler (R-SD) wants to save democracy. Larry, who left the Senate in 1997 after an unsuccessful reelection bid, has been using his post-Congress career to teach students about the importance of civil service. His hope is to inspire a new generation of informed voters who might be able to help undo
- [Interview 93: Chatting With A Cinematographer](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/09/30/chatting-with-a-cinematographer/) - Brad Rushing lives his life behind a lens. He's an award-winning cinematographer (or director of photography) whose work has included music videos for stars such as Britney Spears, Eminem and Nelly; movies working with a host of well-known actors, actresses and directors; and commercials for dozens of big corporations. Brad is also a wonderful human
- [Interview 94: Dinner With David](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/11/04/dinner-with-david/) - Recently, I met with the winner of a silent auction. The twist was that dinner with me was the prize at the auction. I'd offered an interview for the site to help raise funds for college scholarships for LGBT athletes, and (much to my shock) people actually bid on it. The winner was David Stivaletta,
- [Interview 95: On Racism In America](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/01/20/on-racism-in-america/) - W. Ralph Eubanks is a writer, educator and scholar with an extensive history covering racism in America -- both his experiences growing up African-American, as well as broader issues such as the institutionalized economic racism he's researching for his next book. In addition to all that expertise, he's also fantastic dinner company, because he's very
- [Interview 96: Out To Sea With Matt Yee](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/02/24/out-to-sea-with-matt-yee/) - Dinner 96 is online! This is my meal at sea with entertainer and singer/songwriter Matt Yee, who is a mainstay of gay and straight cruise ships performing his cabaret act to packed audiences. In late January we were on the same cruise, and so one night when he had a rare evening without a show
- [Interview 97: Love Wins](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/03/22/love-wins/) - "Love Wins" is the title of a book that Jim Obergefell wrote about his experiences being the lead named plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, about the landmark decision that held that the Constitution guarantees the right of same-sex couples to marry across the United States. Almost two years after the June
- [Interview 98: Meet The Fontanas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/04/07/meet-the-fontanas/) - Lunch with actors Santino and Jessica Fontana in New York to talk about their careers on stage and screen
- [Interview 99: A Conversation About Cuba](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/08/04/a-conversation-about-cuba/) - Here's the 99th dinner interview with a stranger! It's my lunch in Miami with Sebastian Arcos, associate director of Florida International University's (FIU) Cuban Research Institute (CRI). Sebastian knows what he's talking about -- he was born and raised in Havana, grew disillusioned with the Castro regime in his teenage years and even spent a
- [Interview 100: A Feast With Frank Brigtsen](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/09/27/a-feast-with-frank-brigtsen/) - Earlier this month I was in New Orleans for a holiday, and I had to chance to dine with Frank Brigtsen. He's the owner of the namesake restaurant Brigtsen's, a local landmark that has been serving up his unique style of Creole and Cajun cooking for more then 30 years. Frank trained under the famous
- [Interview 101: The Portrait Painter](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/01/09/the-rabbi-painter/) - Jonathan Blum is a Washington, DC, born painter who now lives in New York and travels the world selling his unique paintings that feature an unusual roster of images: Rabbis, llamas, other animals, foreheads and more. “Most artists are pursuing a particular style and do different thing in their styles. I have a few subject
- [Interview 102: An Evening With Kurt Fuller](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/01/26/an-evening-with-kurt-fuller/) - At least 10 times a day, people stop Kurt Fuller to tell him they swear they've met before. What's actually happening is that they're recalling one of the almost 200 roles that Kurt, 64, has played in movies including massive hits like Ghostbusters II, Wayne's World and Scary Movie or scene-stealing roles in television shows such as Psych and The Good
- [Interview 103: The Future Of Environmental Justice](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/02/25/the-future-of-environmental-justice/) - For 24 years, Mustafa Santiago Ali was an employee of the Environmental Protection Agency, working on environmental justice (EJ). Also known as environmental equity, EJ generally refers to addressing the disproportionate adverse impacts of industrial pollution on low-income and minority communities. It's a cause that is personal for Mustafa, but one that he sees facing
- [Interview 104: Talking Wine With André Hueston Mack](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/05/02/talking-wine-with-andre-hueston-mack/) - André Hueston Mack is a busy man. The sommelier turned wine company owner has a packed schedule that includes touring the country to visit the vineyards that supply his wine, giving motivational talks highlighting how he took chances to get to his current position, writing a memoir, and getting ready to open his own wine
- [Interview 105: Telling Stories Through Food](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/05/25/telling-stories-through-food/) - Jamila Robinson is a lifelong foodie, always eager to try new restaurants and also experiment with cooking at home. She's taken that passion and used it to develop a career in media where, at several major newspapers, she's edited features sections finding innovative ways to tell captivating stories about food, dining, the restaurant scene, and
- [Interview 106: Dinner With Dean Gold](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/06/12/dinner-with-dean-gold/) - Dean Gold is the owner and executive chef of Dino's Grotto, an Italian-inspired restaurant in Washington, DC. It's the second incarnation of his dream venue, after he had to close his bigger restaurant Dean in DC's Cleveland Park due to a drop off in business. Having eaten at Dino's with friends before, I wondered what
- [Interview 107: Erick Lopez Explains](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/09/28/erick-lopez-explains/) - The 107th interview is finally online! Last week I met actor Erick Lopez in New York, at the end of his visit from Los Angeles to promote the film Flavor of Life. In the drama, he plays an estranged grandson who reunites with his grandfather and has to help him save his restaurant. It's the first
- [Interview 108: Parkway For Poor Boys](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/10/05/parkway-for-poor-boys/) - New Orleans has many famous dishes, and that includes poor boys. Poor boys, or po' boys as they're also known, are sliced loaves of French bread stuffed with mounds of shrimp, or oysters, or roast beef with a thick gravy known as "debris," or ham and swiss, or many other ingredients. Jay Nix, owner of
- [Interview 109: Dinner With Demetrius Harmon](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/10/12/dinner-with-demetrius-harmon/) - Demetrius Harmon calls himself a "normal" 20-year-old. On a regular day, he wakes up, calls his friends, plays the video game Fortnite, he might make the occasional YouTube video or get on Twitter to share his thoughts. Pretty normal. Except he has more than a million people listening to him. He found online fame making
- [Interview 110: Meet The Freaky Boiz](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/10/19/meet-the-freaky-boiz/) - Meet Pierre Phipps and Terrance Wilson, also known as the rap duo Freaky Boiz. They're gay artists who met in a high school dance class in Chicago, and went to college together in Illinois. That's the time when, just for their own amusement, they made a video rapping verses about their sex lives. They posted
- [Interview 111: Lunch With Donna Lynne Champlin](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/10/26/lunch-with-donna-lynne-champlin/) - Donna Lynne Champlin is an accomplished stage, television and film actress whose most recent credits include the role of Paula Proctor on the CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Hortense Bellacourt on Comedy Central's Another Period. She's also great company for lunch. Earlier this month, during a holiday to Los Angeles, I met Donna Lynne at Messhall Kitchen where
- [Interview 111: Meeting Donna Lynne Champlin At Messhall](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/11/02/meeting-donna-lynne-champlin-at-messhall/) - Last Friday I uploaded part one of a two-part interview with actress Donna Lynne Champlin, talking about how her discovery of metaphysics helped shape her career. Here's part two of the interview, in which she charts the course of her career that started at the age of three when she picked up tap dancing. Since
- [Interview 112: Chatting With A Comedian](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/11/16/chatting-with-a-comedian/) - Late last month I was in Brooklyn and had the chance to interview Alex English. He's a young comedian, writer and actor building his career in his adopted hometown of New York after moving there from Detroit without really knowing what he wanted to do with his life. In 2012, he and a coworker went
- [Interview 113: Meet Mark From Medium Rare](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/11/30/meet-mark-from-medium-rare/) - Mark Bucher is co-owner of Medium Rare, a restaurant business with four locations in the Washington, DC, area offering a very simple menu: bread, followed by salad, then two servings of steak frites. It's simple yet successful. Medium Rare frequently appears on local and national "best of" lists for steakhouses. I've been to several of
- [Interview 114: Discussing DC Central Kitchen](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/12/28/discussing-dc-central-kitchen/) - Next month, the DC Central Kitchen will mark 30 years of taking donated wasted food and turning it into meals for the homeless and non-profits. That's just one of many services the organization offers, such as a culinary training program for jobless adults so they can get work and "leave hunger behind." The Kitchen's Chief
- [Interview 115: The Possible Dream](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/01/07/the-possible-dream/) - Bernie Clifton, 82, is a legendary British comedian and singer, perhaps best known for a slapstick routine running around on stage in a goofy ostrich costume while he cracks punny jokes. But I recently learned there's much more to his life story, from his early handyman jobs through to recent appearances on The Voice and
- [Interview 116: Lunch With Jane Lynch & Kate Flannery](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/13/lunch-with-jane-lynch-kate-flannery/) - Actresses Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery are perhaps best known to many from their comedic roles on the television shows Glee and The Office respectively, but for the last few years they've sold out venues with a series of music revues -- their latest, Two Lost Souls, opened in September. Last month, on a trip to Los Angeles, I had
- [Interview 117: Tired Old Queen At The Movies](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/29/tired-old-queen-at-the-movies/) - Every month on the YouTube series "Tired Old Queen at the Movies" actor Steve Hayes shares his love for old movies with five-to-10 minute videos adlibbing about classic features. He covers everything from the characters to the stories of the actors playing them, from the social themes in the plot to the importance of the
- [Interview 118: Meet Mikko](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/29/meet-mikko/) - Meet Mikko Kosonen, he's a chef from Finland now living in Washington, DC, who divides his time between operating his busy catering company and his namesake restaurant Mikko. We met earlier this month for dinner at his establishment for my 118th interview. Mikko talked about why he wanted to bring Nordic food to the city
- [Interview 119: Talking With Toyin Alli About Puddin'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/17/talking-with-toyin-alli-about-puddin/) - Toyin Alli is the chef-owner of Puddin', specializing in Cajun and Creole comfort food operating in DC out of a food truck and a stand at Union Market. On a recent weeknight I met Toyin for the 119th dinner interview; a chat about what got her started in the food industry, learning that it's the
- [Interview 120: Chatting With A Former CIA Analyst](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/19/interview-121-chatting-with-a-former-cia-analyst/) - During his years working for the CIA as a counterterrorism analyst Aki Peritz had to keep his job a secret. Since leaving the agency he's able to talk about it generally, and he's enjoying a successful career as a consultant, writer, and teacher on the subject. But he still maintains a healthy sense of privacy,
- [Interview 121: Dining With Adult Model DeAngelo Jackson](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/26/interview-122-dining-with-adult-model-deangelo-jackson/) - Gay adult model DeAngelo Jackson lost his virginity on screen during his first-ever sex video when he was 22. Ten years later he's still in the porn industry, building a fanbase of thousands with his work for studios and the more recent sites like OnlyFans where he can make his own videos and sell them
- [Interview 122: Dinner With Piano Bar Performer Jesse Rifkin](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/07/interview-123-dinner-with-piano-bar-performer-jesse-rifkin/) - After a summer hiatus from meeting strangers for meals, I've resumed Dining With Strangers and so here's the 122nd interview: dinner with Jesse Rifkin, who performs twice a week singing and playing piano at a popular bar in DC. Jesse, a journalist by day, tickles the ivories at Mr. Smith's of Georgetown every Friday and
- [Interview 123: Lunch With Former NFL Player Ryan O'Callaghan](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/14/interview-124-lunch-with-former-nfl-player-ryan-ocallaghan/) - When NFL player Ryan O'Callaghan was at the top of his game, all he could think of was suicide. His working days in the league were spent as an offensive tackle for the New England Patriots and later the Kansas City Chiefs. But at other times all he could think about was the secret that
- [Interview 124: Dinner With Standup Comedian Sampson McCormick](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/11/05/interview-125-dinner-with-standup-comedian-sampson-mccormick/) - Sampson McCormick is a 33-year-old gay black comedian who doesn't like being told what he can and can't say. Born in Washington, DC, he bombed at his first few gigs using routines that relied on tired, unfunny jokes. Then he shifted to talking about finding the humor in bad experiences, including verbal and physical abuse
- [Interview 125: Finding Out About FishScale](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/12/06/interview-126-finding-out-about-fishscale/) - Here's the 125th dinner interview! A few years ago, chef Brandon Williams was at a cookout and trying to think of something to make for his pescatarian mother. Instead of doing the typical baked or fried fish, he decided to turn high quality fish into patties and serve them up as grilled fish burgers. The
- [Interview 126: Dinner With DC Activist Rayceen Pendarvis](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/12/23/interview-127-dinner-with-dc-activist-rayceen-pendarvis/) - Rayceen Pendarvis is an instantly recognizable face for many people living in Washington, DC. For several decades Rayceen has worked as an activist on issues including homelessness, HIV, gentrification, and transgender rights. And recent work also includes being an emcee and finding success as the host of a popular music, talk and art variety monthly
- [Interview 127: Lunch With Revolution Games Co-Founder Charles Cecil](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/01/27/interview-128-lunch-with-revolution-games-co-founder-charles-cecil/) - The first dinner interview with a stranger this year is with Charles Cecil, the co-founder of British software company Revolution Games. They specialize in adventure games, including the globally popular Broken Sword series and Beneath a Steel Sky, among other titles. I met Charles earlier this month in York, England, where he lives and where Revolution has its
- [Interview 129: Dinner With Queer Content Creator Adrian](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/24/interview-130-dinner-with-queer-content-creator-adrian/) - The phrase "one-of-a-kind" is used far too often to describe people, but it's a precise way to describe the outgoing, creative, joyful and thoughtful Adrian (he goes by only his first name). He's a 26-year-old content creator based in Atlanta who makes a living through podcasts, YouTube videos, online writing, speeches and more through which
- [Interview 128: Dinner With Author Monika Pickett](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/02/28/interview-129-dinner-with-author-monika-pickett/) - Here's the 128th dinner with a stranger! A few weeks ago I met Monika Pickett for an evening meal at Neramitra Thai Cuisine in Arlington, Virginia. The main topic of our conversation was her decision to try writing erotic lesbian fiction novels, but after spending more than an our with her we covered a whole
- [Interview 130: Dinner With Soul Food Chef Deborah VanTrece](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/05/26/interview-131-dinner-with-soul-food-chef-deborah-vantrece/) - Back in February, before social distancing, I visited Atlanta for three dinner interviews -- including today's update, the 130th interview, featuring Chef Deborah VanTrece who owns the Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours. Her goal is to reinvent what people think of soul food, and based off the accolades she's racked up over the years, it's
- [Find Fred Melamed At The Movies](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2023/01/22/find-fred-melamed-at-the-movies/) - Until the day when I resume dinner interviews with people across the United States and even overseas, I'll provide some updates on news of interest about some of the 131 people I've already met. Today's post is about actor Fred Melamed, the 76th interviewee on Dining With Strangers and easily recognized from key roles in A
- [Giving Gordon Ramsay's Fish And Chips A Go](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2022/11/25/giving-gordon-ramsays-fish-and-chips-a-go/) - The other week, Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema invited me to tag along for a review of Gordon Ramsay's new fish and chip shop (creatively titled Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips) at The Wharf in D.C. The review was a chance to share my thoughts on the best way to make fish and chips,
- [Jim Piddock Caught With His Pants Down](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2022/06/19/jim-piddock-caught-with-his-pants-down/) - Actor/writer Jim Piddock, star of almost countless plays, television shows and movies -- including Christopher Guest's "Best In Show" -- is baring all. In his new autobiography, "Caught with My Pants Down", he dishes on his lengthy career and journey from England to Hollywood. Jim was the second interview on Dining With Strangers, far back
- [Chef Brigtsen's Lifetime Of Achievement](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2022/06/15/chef-brigtsens-lifetime-of-achievement/) - Had to come out of semi-hibernation to note a well-deserved award for Chef Frank Brigtsen. Frank is the owner of Brigtsen's restaurant in New Orleans, where I met him for a dinner interview back in September 2017. It's a local landmark and consistently one of the best reviewed restaurants in the city. Before opening his
- [Looking Back On 2015](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/12/28/looking-back-on-2015/) - With another year almost over, here's a look back at the strangers I met in 2015. For the second year in a row I managed to adhere to my self-imposed goal of meeting at least one stranger for a meal every month. This year also marked the first time that I've ever reunited (on the
- [Happy New Year (And Still Nothing To See Here Yet)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2022/01/20/happy-new-year-and-still-nothing-to-see-here-yet/) - Happy 2022! Thank you to everyone who keeps checking on this site or stumbles upon it. Sadly, the dinner interviews are still on hold due to a number of complications (new job, old pandemic, and more) but hopefully one day I'll get to finally do the 132nd meal with a stranger, and then then 133rd,
- [Dining With Strangers Still On Hold](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2021/09/11/dining-with-strangers-still-on-hold/) - Apologies for the dearth of updates since March, but Dining With Strangers is still on hold. At the start of the pandemic, I suspended my project of meeting strangers for meals at restaurants to interview them about their life stories -- an idea at odds with lockdowns and social distancing. And since then I've had
- [Steve Hayes Exposes Movie Dubbing Secrets](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/04/steve-hayes-exposes-movie-dubbing-secrets/) - Steve Hayes (dinner interviewee 118) will be co-hosting an online event on Sunday December 13 at 8pm where he promises to reveal the secrets of dubbing voiceovers throughout Hollywood's history. Steve is the creator of the YouTube series "Tired Old Queen at the Movies" where he adlibs for about five to 10 minutes talking about
- [Throwback Thursday 80: After The Storm](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2021/03/04/throwback-thursday-80-after-the-storm/) - The 80th dinner interview was a reunion with several strangers in New Orleans. In September 2015, roughly one decade after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, I met with three long-time residents of the Crescent City who have previously been featured on Dining With Strangers, hosting a group meal at Antoine's. In the first part of a
- [Throwback Thursday 79: Young At Heart](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/31/throwback-thursday-79-young-at-heart/) - The 79th Throwback Thursday dinner happened in August 2015, when I met Barbara Crocker at the French restaurant Le Diplomate in DC. Barbara had just celebrated her 62nd birthday that month, but during the interview she told me she feels like she’s getting younger every year with her busy schedule that includes fundraising for Georgetown
- [Throwback Thursday 78: Fuckup Nights](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/24/throwback-thursday-78-fckup-nights/) - Here's the 78th Throwback Thursday interview: July 2015 dinner with Meredith Denbow at Jyoti Indian Cuisine in DC. Since moving to Washington, DC, a few years ago, Meredith has been working to grow a local branch of Fuckup Nights. The unusually named organization hosts seminars across the globe where people talk about business failures and
- [Memories Of Margarita Pracatan At Christmas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/21/memories-of-margarita-pracatan-at-christmas/) - Given that I've put dinner interviews on hiatus until the coronavirus pandemic is over, there won't be a festive-themed meal with a stranger this year like my December 2011 dinner with Santa Claus. Instead, I wanted to post something in memory of my late friend and former interviewee Margarita Pracatan. 2020 has been a truly
- [Throwback Thursday 77: From Pennsylvania To Public Relations](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/17/throwback-thursday-77-from-pennsylvania-to-public-relations/) - Continuing the throwbacks to prior interviews in order, here's the 77th interview which took place in June 2015. Jenny Wang was born in China but spent her childhood in Connecticut and rural Pennsylvania, before moving to the District of Columbia to work in public relations. During dinner at Marrakech in DC, Jenny told me about
- [Throwback Thursday 76: A Serious Actor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/10/throwback-thursday-76-a-serious-actor/) - Today's Throwback Thursday feature is my 76th interview; a dinner with actor Fred Melamed and his wife Leslee Spieler Melamed in Beverly Hills. We met at The Palm in May 2015 for a very lengthy and highly enjoyable meal, learning about their life stories. Fred has a lengthy filmography that includes the movies A Serious Man and In
- [Throwback Thursday 75: The Musso & Frank Grill](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/12/03/throwback-thursday-75-the-musso-frank-grill/) - Continuing the sequential Throwback Thursday features of past dinner features, here's the 75th interview: my May 2015 dinner at the landmark Los Angeles restaurant Musso & Frank Grill with its proprietor Mark Echeverria. The restaurant opened in 1919 and has catered to Hollywood celebrities and regular diners alike. It has also featured in many television
- [Do The Foxtrot With Gaspard](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/11/24/do-the-foxtrot-with-gaspard/) - The utterly charming BBC radio presenter Zeb Soanes (the 28th dinner interviewee) in recent years has also turned to writing children's books about Gaspard, "the handsomest fox in London" and his adventures in England's capital. Zeb writes the books along with illustrator and author James Mayhew, and they recently announced that the latest entry in
- [Throwback Thursday 74: Scenes From An Italian Restaurant](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/11/19/throwback-thursday-74-scenes-from-an-italian-restaurant/) - The 74th Throwback Thursday feature is a dinner from an April 2015 trip to Italy for my eldest brother's wedding. I was in Milan alone for a night and posted on craigslist seeing if anyone wanted to be interviewed for Dining With Strangers. City resident Federico Leidi got in touch, saying he had plenty to
- [Throwback Thursday 37: The Doctor Is In](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/10/throwback-thursday-37-the-doctor-is-in/) - Quick reminder to sign up for the Dining With Strangers mailing list and get notified every time I post a new dinner interview. To subscribe, just enter your email address in the box on the right column. Now back to the regularly scheduled Throwback Thursday. The 37th dinner with a stranger took place in September
- [Throwback Thursday 38: Meeting The Mayor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/17/throwback-thursday-38-meeting-the-mayor/) - Here's the 38th Throwback Thursday article; the time I got coffee and cupcakes with Ed Koch. I met Ed in October 2011 on a trip to New York, the city where he served as mayor for three terms in the 1970s and 1980s. In 2011 he was a partner at the law firm Bryan Cave,
- [Throwback Thursday 39: Forever Young](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/24/throwback-thursday-39-forever-young/) - Fans of the Rocky movies might enjoy the 39th Throwback Thursday -- an afternoon with actor Burt Young (Paulie from the boxing film series) in Port Washington, New York, in October 2011. Burt talked about his lengthy acting career, but also discussed his other loves of painting and writing. Before we got lunch, he and
- [Throwback Thursday 40: Fighting Against Hunger](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/31/throwback-thursday-40-fighting-against-hunger/) - The 40th Throwback Thursday is my December 2011 lunch in the District with Shamia Holloway, who at the time was communications manager for the Capital Area Food Bank. It’s the largest non-profit hunger organization in the DC region — also reaching into Maryland and Virginia — and its goal is to provide nutritious food to
- [Throwback Thursday 41: Here Comes Santa Claus](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/11/14/throwback-thursday-41-here-comes-santa-claus/) - Christmas comes early for the 41st Throwback Thursday -- my December 2011 dinner in Silver Spring, Maryland, with Ed Downey. At the time, he'd performed as Santa Claus for 29 years. Over a meal at Red Lobster he explained how a globetrotting past led to his current festive role.
- [Throwback Thursday 42: Parties, Playtime And Public Relations](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/11/21/throwback-thursday-42-parties-playtime-and-public-relations/) - The 42nd Throwback Thursday is my February 2012 meal at Bangkok Joe's in Georgetown with experienced marketing communications executive Rozanne Weissman. She talked about her volunteer work, life in public relations, and shared the best way to crash parties in the District.
- [Throwback Thursday 43: Drawn Together](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/12/05/throwback-thursday-43-drawn-together/) - For the 43rd dinner interview, I traveled to Baltimore in April 2012 to have lunch with Ben Claassen III. He's the charming creator of the comic strip DIRTFARM. He's also the guy responsible for the illustrations that ran alongside Baggage Check -- the advice column in DC's now-defunct Express newspaper that was written by psychologist Dr.
- [Throwback Thursday 44: Talking With A Tutor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/12/12/throwback-thursday-44-talking-with-a-tutor/) - The 44th stranger I interviewed over dinner, back in May 2012, was with someone who really didn't want to meet me. Kay Cameron was a part-time volunteer with the Washington Literacy Center, which teaches literacy skills to adults in the District of Columbia who read below a fifth grade level. I'd emailed the non-profit eager
- [Throwback Thursday 45: Working Hard For The Money](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/12/19/throwback-thursday-45-working-hard-for-the-money/) - The 45th Throwback Thursday feature contains some rather adult language, because's it my interview with gay porn performer Antonio Biaggi. I wrote this July 2012 article as a counterpoint to my July 2010 meal with gay for pay porn performer Malachi Marx (the 22nd stranger). While Malachi (not his real name) said he was straight
- [Throwback Thursday 46: La Gitana](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/01/16/throwback-thursday-46-la-gitana/) - The 46th Throwback Thursday is breakfast with Katelan Foisy, a visual artist known as La Gitana: Mistress of Magic. We met in October 2012 at the since-shuttered Cosmopolitan Cafe in New York to talk about her creative work. She told me about her move to the Big Apple and how her ever-growing circle of creative
- [Throwback Thursday 47: Mistress Of Melody](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/01/23/throwback-thursday-47-mistress-of-melody/) - The 47th Throwback Thursday interview was a joy: January 2013 dinner in London with Lorraine Bowen, also known as the Crumble Lady from Britain's Got Talent. I met Lorraine two years before she was on the show, and at our meal she told me about her long, quirky musical career You can find several of
- [Throwback Thursday 49: Hungry Town](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/02/20/throwback-thursday-49-hungry-town/) - Expect the first of three upcoming interviews next week! For today, Throwback Thursday 49 is my August 2013 dinner with New Orleans food critic Tom Fitzmorris at the upscale restaurant Tommy's Cuisine in the Central Business District. Tom, born and raised in the city, hosts a daily food show on a local radio station, and
- [Throwback Thursday 50: Storyville](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/02/27/throwback-thursday-50-storyville/) - The 50th Throwback Thursday is my August 2013 lunch with Josh and Natalie Harvey at Coquette New Orleans. We talked about their t-shirt company Storyville, launched in 2009 featuring a host of city-specific designs. The company was in business for roughly 10 years, but rising rent and slowing sales led the Harveys to wind down
- [Throwback Thursday 53: Born To Run](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/18/throwback-thursday-53-born-to-run/) - My publishing schedule has been thrown for a bit of a loop due to coronavirus and switching to doing the day reporting job entirely from home, but there are three new interviews on the way, with the next either late this week or early next week. For today, here's the 53rd Throwback Thursday interview: my
- [Throwback Thursday 51: Making It Big In The Movies](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/05/throwback-51-making-it-big-in-the-movies/) - The 51st Throwback Thursday is my November 2013 dinner with actor Richard Kiel, best known his role as the menacing metal-mouthed bad guy Jaws in two Roger Moore James Bond movies. At 7 feet and 1-and-a-half inches tall he was an imposing figure but incredibly friendly and eager to talk about his career. Over a
- [Throwback Thursday 52: The Jazz Man](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/12/throwback-thursday-52-the-jazz-man/) - The 52nd Throwback Thursday took place in January 2014, when I met jazz musician Aaron Myers for dinner. Over a pleasant meal at (now closed) Mediterranean Spot on U Street in Washington, DC, Aaron shared how he turned a childhood love of music into a full-time career. He's a wonderful guy, was a very fun
- [Throwback Thursday 54: Special Agent Galactica](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/26/throwback-thursday-54-special-agent-galactica/) - Here's the 54th Throwback Thursday -- my March 2014 dinner with DC-based actor Jeffrey Johnson at Ted's Bulletin. He talked about his act Special Agent Galactica, performing as a hired female assassin in a hot pink wig who travels through space and time -- while performing musical revues at clubs and bars in her spare
- [Throwback Thursday 55: Yes Woman](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/02/throwback-thursday-55-yes-woman/) - Here's the 55th Throwback Thursday -- my April 2014 dinner with Elizabeth Moore, a DC resident who said she used to be an introvert but completely changed her life when she started saying "yes" to more of the opportunities that came her way. We had a fun dinner at Pesce in Dupont Circle, where she
- [Kate Bakes](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/05/09/kate-bakes/) - Former dinner interviewee and vegan food blogger Katelyn Sornik has now launched her own brand of vegan snack bars and other treats. I discovered her company Kate Bakes after putting up a link to my interview with Katelyn on Twitter for Throwback Thursday. Katelyn tweeted back to let me know about her new snack bar
- [Santa Claus Is Coming To Town](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/12/22/santa-claus-is-coming-to-town/) - Back in England for Christmas and mostly relaxing rather than meeting strangers for dinner -- although I tentatively have one last dinner for 2015 coming up next week. In the meantime, here's a festive throwback Tuesday to that time in December 2011 when I met Ed Downey for a meal in Silver Spring, Maryland. He
- [Margarita's Merry Christmas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/12/08/margaritas-merry-christmas/) - This festive post is really a nostalgic throwback Tuesday in disguise, but ssssh. To get you in the holiday spirit, here's a reminder of that time in 2009 I spent sipping wine and singing Christmas carols with Cuban singing sensation Margarita Pracatan. We met at her apartment in Manhattan, and tried our best at belting
- [Throwback Thursday 17: Artist By Design](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/23/throwback-thursday-17-artist-by-design/) - The 17th Throwback Thursday is one of four dinners from an April 2010 weekend trip to Providence, Rhode Island. The first was at Camille's Restaurant with Rhode Island School of Design student Robin Tafel, who was pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Looking back at this article, I realize I was severely under-dressed for
- [Throwback Thursday 16: Teresa's Toys](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/16/throwback-thursday-16-teresas-toys/) - The 16th dinner interview was my afternoon tea in December 2009 at Alice's Tea Cup in Manhattan talking with New Yorker Teresa Suarez, learning about her side career selling sex toys and other adult products — just one of her three jobs. An unlikely setting for an adult-themed conversation, but wonderful food and a cheerful
- [Throwback Thursday 19: Living In Rhode Island](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/06/throwback-thursday-19-living-in-rhode-island/) - Throwback Thursday 19 is the third of four meals with strangers in Providence, Rhode Island back in April 2010. This time it was dinner with local realtor Bob Black at Greek restaurant Andrea's, talking about his (sadly now defunct) blog extolling the benefits of living in Rhode Island. You know those people you meet for
- [Throwback Thursday 20: A Natural Voyeur](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/13/throwback-thursday-20-a-natural-voyeur/) - Throwback Thursday 20 is the fourth and final interview from a weekend in Providence, Rhode Island, in April 2010. Local photographer Amy Messere reached out to do an interview, saying she wanted to talk about her art but also her work as a waitress in a strip club. Amy was fun company, and encouraged me
- [Throwback Thursday 21: Bloody Mary](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/20/throwback-thursday-21-bloody-mary/) - The 21st Throwback Thursday is my May 2010 lunch at Muriel's in New Orleans with voodoo queen Mary Millan. A very easygoing and interesting person, she dispelled some myths about the religion of voodoo and also had plenty to say about life in the Big Easy. In addition to my interview, you can find out
- [Throwback Thursday 23: Winston Unzipped](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/04/throwback-thursday-23-winston-unzipped/) - The 23rd Throwback Thursday is the second of two interviews from my July 2010 trip to California; this one with Winston Geiseke who at the time was managing editor of a blog for the gay porn publishing company Unzipped that produced magazines and more. We met at Dear John's Restaurant in Culver City for a chat about
- [Throwback Thursday 22: Gay For Pay](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/27/throwback-thursday-22-gay-for-pay/) - Throwback Thursday 22 is one of the most-read interviews on my site; lunch in Los Angeles with gay for pay porn actor and escort Malachi Marx (not his real name) back in July 2010. The original version of the article on the old Dining With Strangers site had a lot of comments. My clumsy transfer
- [Throwback Thursday 24: Food For Thought](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/11/throwback-thursday-24-food-for-thought/) - In July 2010 I traveled to Philadelphia for a weekend to meet friends, and made time to do another Dining With Strangers interview. Today's throwback is to the 24th stranger; restaurant critic blogger and photographer Albert Yee. He moved to the city several years ago knowing little about it, but soon launched what became a
- [Throwback Thursday 26: The Write Stuff](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/25/throwback-thursday-26-the-write-stuff/) - The 26th interview I did was a November 2010 dinner in Manhattan (on the Empire State Building's ground floor at the Heartland Brewery, NYC) talking with writer Kyle Michel Sullivan. He shared how he started working on fiction at college in Texas, and stepped up his passion for it after moving out to Los Angeles.
- [Throwback Thursday 25: Weaver Ward One](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/18/throwback-thursday-25-weaver-ward-one/) - The 25th Throwback Thursday is my interview back in October 2010 with former District council candidate Bryan Weaver. He was born in Oregon but is a long-time resident of DC, and spoke about why he loves the city and its residents so much and how he got involved in politics. He also founded Hoops Sagrado,
- [Throwback Thursday 27: British Ink](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/08/01/throwback-thursday-27-british-ink/) - Ever wanted a tattoo? The 27th sequential Throwback Thursday is my December 2010 dinner with tattoo artist Paul Roe. Over a meal of fantastic French food at Montmartre in DC's Eastern Market, Paul told me how "I'm in your skin" when designing high quality tattoos, which he did out of his company British Ink based
- [Throwback Thursday 35: Jason Ryan's Jackpot](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/25/throwback-thursday-35-jason-ryans-jackpot/) - Marijuana smuggling is a big focus of the 35th Throwback Thursday, my August 2011 dinner at since-closed Lana in Charleston, South Carolina, with author Jason Ryan. He told me about his book “Jackpot: High Times, High Seas and the Sting That Launched the War on Drugs,” a non-fiction account of the South’s infamous pot smugglers
- [Throwback Thursday 28: A Voice For Radio](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/08/08/throwback-thursday-28-a-voice-for-radio/) - The 28th Throwback Thursday is my evening meal with BBC radio presenter and writer Zeb Soanes back in January 2011. We met for dinner at the wonderful Andrew Edmunds in London while I was back in my home country, and he told me about his career in radio. Zeb is still with the BBC, and
- [Throwback Thursday 29: An Audience With The Lincolns](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/08/15/throwback-thursday-29-an-audience-with-the-lincolns/) - What inspires someone to craft a career being an Abraham Lincoln impersonator? Being as tall as Honest Abe and having his beard are big assists, as Michael Krebs told me during a dinner interview in February 2011 along with Debra Miller, who performs with Michael as Mary Todd Lincoln. In this interview, the 29th Throwback
- [Throwback Thursday 30: March Of The Bucket Brigade](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/08/22/throwback-thursday-30-march-of-the-bucket-brigade/) - The 30th Throwback Thursday feature is to April 2011, and another trip to New Orleans. Over the years there have been so many Dining With Strangers interviews in the Big Easy because (1) I'm there often, (B) people there appear to be very open to the website's concept, (iii) I want to make sure at
- [Throwback Thursday 32: Viva Las Vegans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/05/throwback-thursday-32-viva-las-vegans/) - Here's the 32nd Throwback Thursday article; my June 2011 dinner with DC resident Katelyn Sornik, who told me about her blog that covered life as a vegan. On the blog, New Kid On The Vegan Block, she posted recipes, restaurant reviews and other articles about her life as a vegan. It was an interesting insight
- [Throwback Thursday 31: Keeping The Faith](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/08/30/throwback-thursday-31-keeping-the-faith/) - The 31st Throwback Thursday is to May 2011, when I dined at DC's Acqua al 2 with Pastor Patrick Walker of the New Macedonia Baptist Church in Southeast Washington. I wanted to learn about his church's prominent campaign against the push for marriage equality in the city, but that led to a much broader discussion
- [Throwback Thursday 33: We Dance To The Beat](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/12/throwback-thursday-33-we-dance-to-the-beat/) - Want to see me embarrass myself? The 33rd Throwback Thursday is for you. On a July 2011 trip to New York City I had lunch with Julia Kulakova, a renowned dancer who also teaches a class in gypsy dancing. Before our meal -- a lengthy and lovely meal at the now-shuttered Josie's Restaurant West --
- [Throwback Thursday 2: Funny Man, Funny Man-Date](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/01/31/throwback-thursday-2-funny-man-funny-man-date/) - Here's the second Throwback Thursday; my November 2008 interview with actor and writer Jim Piddock. He's well known for his role alongside comedy icon Fred Willard as the commentators at the dog show in Christopher Guest's fake documentary Best In Show. But Jim's career started many years before that role, as he told me over a
- [Throwback Thursday 3: The Eager Beaver Diva With The Unconstricted Boa](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/07/throwback-thursday-3-the-eager-beaver-diva-with-the-unconstricted-boa/) - My third dinner interview was in December 2008, my first time meeting Margarita Pracatan, a Cuban singer living in New York who found fame performing the closing numbers for the Clive James talk show in England back in the 1990s. After I started this site, I knew I wanted to find out more about her
- [Throwback Thursday 1: My Dinner With Joseph](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/01/24/throwback-thursday-1-my-dinner-with-joseph/) - Last January on the Dining With Strangers Facebook page and Twitter, I started posting the old dinner interviews in order every Thursday for (you've probably guessed) Throwback Thursday. To get the site itself updated more frequently, I'm starting the feature here. Click here for the very first meal, with my friend Joe Matar talking about
- [Throwback Thursday 6: Clowning Around](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/28/throwback-thursday-6-clowning-around/) - The sixth throwback Thursday is to my March 2009 dinner with circus clown VeeKay (Diego Barquinero) at The Counter in Santa Monica, California. Diego has a fascinating story about how he got into a career under the Big Top. When we met, he showed up to the interview still in his work outfit, and got a lot
- [Throwback Thursday 5: The Prince Of Petworth](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/21/throwback-thursday-5-the-prince-of-petworth/) - Continuing the sequential throwback Thursdays, here's my fifth dinner interview -- a meal way back in March 2009 with Dan Silverman, creator of the popular DC-area blog Prince of Petworth, which evolved into the current PoPville We met at the since-closed CommonWealth restaurant in Columbia Heights. At the time, Dan and I both lived in
- [Throwback Thursday 8: She Loves New York](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/14/throwback-thursday-8-she-loves-new-york/) - The eighth throwback Thursday is my May 2009 brunch in Manhattan with Gretchen Auer, who talked about achieving her long-time goal of moving from Ohio to the Big Apple. We dined at Ta Cocina on 9th Avenue, a nice place which sadly appears to have closed.
- [Throwback Thursday 9: A Slice Of Pizza](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/21/throwback-thursday-9-a-slice-of-pizza/) - Throwback Thursday number nine is my May 2009 lunch in Columbia Heights, DC, with Mike Wilkinson and Alicia Wilkinson-Mehr -- two of the founders of local pizza chain Pete's New Haven Style Apizza. In the years since the interview, Pete's has expanded to several more locations around the city, although the Columbia Heights location where
- [Throwback Thursday 10: Enter Cecil, Stage Right](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/28/throwback-thursday-10-enter-cecil-stage-right/) - It's Thursday, so here's the next in the throwback interview series. The 10th interview took place in August 2009, and was my lunch in New York with actor Cecil Baldwin, who went on to great success with the Welcome to Night Vale podcast. And I'm happy to report he remains a thoroughly charming fellow --
- [Throwback Thursday 11: In The Picture](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/04/throwback-thursday-11-in-the-picture/) - It's another Thursday and another throwback -- the 11th dinner with a stranger took place in August 2009 in Brooklyn, where I interviewed photographer Lars Stephan about his work. Originally from Germany, Lars is for now living in Brooklyn and building on a career launched online with self-portraits that, more often than not, feature himself
- [Throwback Thursday: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/11/throwback-thursday-crazy-ex-girlfriend/) - The wonderful show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend finished last week. I had the honor of interviewing a few cast members for Dining With Strangers during the last few years, so for Throwback Thursday here’s an ICYMI list of breakfasts and lunches with them. Back to the sequential TBTs next week! The first was before the show aired.
- [Throwback Thursday 12: That Voodoo That You Do So Well](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/18/throwback-thursday-12-that-voodoo-that-you-do-so-well/) - Throwback Thursday 12 is my August 2009 dinner with Jerry Gandolfo, owner of the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, at The Court of Two Sisters in the French Quarter. We had a interesting talk about how Jerry got involved in preserving voodoo's story, even though he's not a practicioner. You can see from how shiny
- [Throwback Thursday 13: The Heart Of Rock And Roll](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/25/throwback-thursday-13-the-heart-of-rock-and-roll/) - Throwback Thursday 13 (unlucky for some) was the second interview during my August 2009 trip down to New Orleans. I had a fun lunch at the fantastic restaurant Bayona with Buzzy "Beano" Langford, a member of the long-running and popular New Orleans-based cover band The Topcats. He talked about what first got him into music,
- [Throwback Thursday 14: Magic Moments](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/02/throwback-thursday-14-magic-moments/) - Throwback Thursday 14 is to one night in November 2009, and dinner in DC at Dupont Circle's Thaiphoon with Michael Chamberlin. He has two jobs: magician and theater director, including through his own theater company. He spent equal time talking about his love of the stage, including and about the art of magic -- including
- [Throwback Thursday 15: They Call Him Mister Fry](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/09/throwback-thursday-15-they-call-him-mister-fry/) - Here's the 15th Throwback Thursday: Dinner in New York at Tony's DiNapoli with actor Jack Fry back in December 2009. Before we met, I saw his one-man show "They Call Me Mister Fry" which tells the true story about his first year as a teacher at a high school in South Los Angeles. The show
- [Throwback Thursday 56: A Perfect Fit](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/09/throwback-thursday-56-a-perfect-fit/) - The 56th Throwback Thursday: May 2014 dinner with costume technician Edwin Schiff. We met at the since-closed Tash in DC’s Eastern Market to talk about his work, primarily as the wardrobe head for the Folger Theatre. “I could never do a 9-5 job,” he told me. “I thrive on variety and spontaneity and not knowing
- [Throwback Thursday 57: Amplified Louisa](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/16/throwback-thursday-57-amplified-louisa/) - Here's the 57th Throwback Thursday: Dinner with DC-based ukulele-playing singer-songwriter Louisa Hall, talking about what inspired her to play the instrument and where she gets the inspiration for writing quirky songs like "Barista Boyfriend," "Missed Connections," and "Awkward." The article includes a couple of Louisa's music videos, including her impromptu performance at the Big Bear
- [Throwback Thursday 59: The Classical Cellist](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/30/throwback-thursday-59-the-classical-cellist/) - The 59th Throwback Thursday is my May 2014 lunch with classical cellist Daniel Lelchuk at New Orleans’ Tujague's Restaurant. We talked about his life in music, including his current role as assistant principal cellist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and much more.
- [Throwback Thursday 58: There's Something About Mary](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/23/throwback-thursday-58-theres-something-about-mary/) - For the 58th Throwback Thursday, here's my two-part interview with lifelong New Orleans resident Mary Burns. Over a long lunch at the fantastic Deanie's Seafood in May 2014 she shared her colorful life story. Part one of the interview dealt with growing up in the Crescent City and her teaching career. In the second part
- [Throwback Thursday 60: Behind The Craft](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/05/07/throwback-thursday-60-behind-the-craft/) - New interview tomorrow (done prior to social distancing)! For today, here's the 60th Throwback Thursday: dinner in June 2014 with Brendan Kelleher, who talked about his website Behind The Craft. Brendan, a beer enthusiast, used the site to interviews owners of craft breweries and learn about the process of making specialty beers -- in other
- [Throwback Thursday 61: Matt Of All Trades](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/05/14/throwback-thursday-61-matt-of-all-trades/) - The 61st Throwback Thursday is my July 2014 dinner in New York with Matt Bauman, a man with many pursuits. He's a busy actor, a realtor, and launched his own website that connects people in the theater industry with coaches and teachers, such as vocal trainers. We talked about all three interests over a great
- [Throwback Thursday 62: How To Get To Sesame Street](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/05/21/throwback-thursday-62-how-to-get-to-sesame-street/) - A new interview is coming Tuesday -- although it was done in February, pre-social distancing and stay at home orders. I have that interview and another from February still to post, and am doing so slowly because I don't know when I'll dine with a stranger next. Until next week, here's the 62nd Throwback Thursday;
- [Throwback Thursday 63: Working For Veterans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/06/18/throwback-thursday-63-working-for-veterans/) - The 63rd Throwback Thursday is my August 2014 dinner with Marlene Hall at Eamonn's fish and chip shop in Alexandria, Virginia. Serving eight years in the Air Force helped develop her passion for helping veterans. She told me about her work with veterans organizations, as well as her other interests including freelance writing about music
- [Throwback Thursday 64: All About Omnism](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/07/02/throwback-thursday-64-all-about-omnism/) - The 64th Throwback Thursday is from a trip I took to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in September 2014. One night there, at the Blue Corn Cafe, I met Jesse and Sarah Smith -- a couple who talked about discovering and loving omnism thanks to trying a hallucinogenic drug, meeting otherworldly beings, and chatting with the
- [Throwback Thursday 65: Meeting Michael Hitchcock](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/07/23/throwback-thursday-65-meeting-michael-hitchcock/) - The 65th Throwback Thursday is my October 2014 lunch with the delightful actor/producer/writer/comedian/everything Michael Hitchcock. We met in Los Angeles at Taste On Melrose to discuss his lengthy career; from his start in comedy to working on Glee, and from starring in Christoper Guest movies like Best In Show to his interest in teaching improv.
- [Throwback Thursday 66: Stephen Tobolowsky's Adventures](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/08/27/throwback-thursday-66-stephen-tobolowskys-adventures/) - The 66th Throwback Thursday is my two-part interview with actor/writer Stephen Tobolowsky in October 2014 at Art’s Delicatessen in LA. Stephen is instantly recognizable as the character Ned Ryerson from the movie Groundhog Day, as well as other popular films including Sneakers and Mississippi Burning, and television appearances on shows including Deadwood, Glee and Californication among
- [Throwback Thursday 67: Brobson's Big Easy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/09/17/throwback-thursday-67-brobsons-big-easy/) - The 67th Throwback Thursday is my October 2014 dinner with decades-long French Quarter resident Dr. Brobson Lutz at the landmark Galatoire's Restaurant in New Orleans talking about the city's history, his medical career, Hurricane Katrina, being a graphic novel character and much more. I'm still in touch with Brobson and had a brief chat with
- [Throwback Thursday 68: The Part-Time Pursuit Of Happiness](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/09/24/throwback-thursday-68-the-part-time-pursuit-of-happiness/) - Here's the 68th consecutive Throwback Thursday to my existing interviews; my November 2014 dinner with single mother Caecilia Key at Carolina Kitchen in Washington, DC. Caecilia talked about how she overcome some personal setbacks on the path to realizing her goal of a successful career in public relations and communications.
- [Throwback Thursday 70: Empire Of Sin](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/10/08/throwback-thursday-70-empire-of-sin/) - The 70th sequential Throwback Thursday feature is my dinner with New York Times best-selling author Gary Krist talking about his non-fiction book “Empire of Sin” that tells the story of New Orleans in the early 1900s. We met in January 2015 at the since-closed Acadiana in DC for an evening of Cajun and Creole food,
- [Throwback Thursday 69: The Bee Lady](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/10/01/throwback-thursday-69-the-bee-lady/) - The 69th Throwback Thursday feature is my lunch interview with Jean Bishop, who for decades has worn a large bee costume to raise money for the charity Age UK, collecting more than £100k ($125k) since becoming The Bee Lady. She shared her life story when we met in Hull, England, in December 2014 for a
- [Throwback Thursday 71: The House Of Black & White](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/10/22/throwback-thursday-71-the-house-of-black-white/) - The 71st sequential Throwback Thursday feature is my February 2015 dinner at DC's Le Chat Noir with Dr. David Sherer, an anesthesiologist who talked about his plan to retire and focus on his love of writing. He's already released a book, "The House of Black and White," about his quest to reunite with the maid
- [Throwback Thursday 72: In Christy's Shoes](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/11/05/throwback-thursday-72-in-christys-shoes/) - Here's the 72nd Throwback Thursday: my March 2015 dinner at Bourbon Steak in DC to meet Jacki Barnett. She’s one of three co-founders of In Christy's Shoes, an organization that hosts shoe fashion show fundraisers in memory of Jacki’s late friend Christy Levy Peters. During a very enjoyable meal, Jacki told me about the work
- [Throwback Thursday 73: Dating In DC](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/11/12/throwback-thursday-73-dating-in-dc/) - For the 73rd dinner with a stranger, in April 2015 I met Craig Schattner at Mintwood Place in DC to learn about his video documentary Dated. Craig said he'd been on more than 100 dates in four years and was still single, and so he launched the series to try and answer the question of
- [The Tobolowsky Files Return](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/11/16/the-tobolowsky-files-return/) - Legendary Hollywood character actor Stephen Tobolowsky (the 66th dinner interviewee) is also a great storyteller, writing two books of anecdotes about his fascinating life and career. He also shares tales from his past on The Tobolowsky Files, a podcast that took a hiatus starting in June 2017 but recently returned and is now updating regularly with
- [What Are The Best NFL Dining Options?](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/10/04/what-are-the-best-nfl-dining-options/) - ***Sponsored Content*** A trip to see an NFL game is a treat for the senses, with the chance to try some great food being one of the highlights for many fans. While the COVID-19 pandemic means the 2020 season will be played behind closed doors, or with small crowds in some cases, now is a
- [See Fred Melamed In 'Shiva Baby'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/09/25/see-fred-melamed-in-shiva-baby/) - Actor Fred Melamed, the 76th stranger featured on this site, is earning praise for his role in the new movie Shiva Baby which won rave reviews at the online South by Southwest film festival this year and from a screening at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival. As described by the movie's IMDB entry, the plot for
- [Griefcat In The Park](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/09/18/griefcat-in-the-park/) - This is short notice, but Griefcat -- a fantastic DC-based singer/songwriter duo including former dining stranger Louisa Hall -- will be performing a concert outdoors this weekend at Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church, Virginia. Here's the relevant blurb from the event's Facebook page: "On the evening of Saturday, September 19th, lush harmonies and heartfelt
- ['Talking Beats' With Daniel Lelchuk](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/08/24/talking-beats-with-daniel-lelchuk/) - A former dining stranger is now interviewing other strangers. Daniel Lelchuk, assistant principal cellist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, recently launched a podcast, Talking Beats, "where dynamic and compelling people share their lives, their work, and of course, their favorite music." He's already featured some incredibly interesting guests, such as Harry Shearer, Laurence Tribe, and
- [Thank You Baked Potato](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/05/18/thank-you-baked-potato/) - British actor/comedian/writer Matt Lucas is singing his way toward raising £1 million for the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and to provide 6,000 meals every day into London hospitals for critical care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. He's doing so with his quirky song "Thank You Baked Potato," in which he praises a baked potato
- [Louisa Hall's Griefcat Releases Debut Album](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/05/13/louisa-halls-griefcat-releases-debut-album/) - Ukulele-playing singer-songwriter Louisa Hall (the 57th stranger interviewed over dinner) has developed a stellar reputation for her solo career performing unique and funny songs like "Barista Boyfriend" and "Internet Love Song," among many others. But she's also writing and singing similarly amusing and heartfelt songs for Griefcat, a duo with fellow singer and songwriter Annie
- [Enjoy Elevenses With Lorraine Bowen](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/21/enjoy-elevenses-with-lorraine-bowen/) - If you're looking for some entertainment while social distancing, singer-songwriter Lorraine Bowen is here to help. Every day at 11am (UK time, so 6am Eastern in the United States), Lorraine takes to Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for her show "Elevenses With Lorraine" that features a mix of fun exercises and her unique brand of quirky
- [Dining With Strangers On Hold (Temporarily)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/04/06/dining-with-strangers-on-hold-temporarily/) - Social distancing right now is imperative to help battle the coronavirus pandemic, and I'm staying cooped up at home. That means I won't be leaving the house to meet any strangers for dinner interviews for at least the near future. I do have three interviews to write up that I conducted in February (two in
- [See Brobson Lutz In Netflix's 'The Pharmacist'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/03/09/see-brobson-lutz-in-netflixs-the-pharmacist/) - Netflix has released a new limited run documentary series, "The Pharmacist," which starts with a father's attempt to solve his son's murder and evolves into a critique of Purdue Pharma and the OxyContin opioid crisis in the United States. Among those interviewed in the documentary is New Orleans Dr. Brobson Lutz, who talks about how
- [Seeking Strangers For Dinner In Atlanta](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/01/21/seeking-strangers-for-dinner-in-atlanta/) - Do you live in Atlanta? Want to be interviewed for Dining With Strangers? Get in touch! I'll be in the city from Friday February 14 through Monday February 17 for a holiday. I've already lined up meals with a couple of strangers but I currently still have time for another interview or two while I'm
- [Rozanne Travels To Africa To Kiss A Giraffe](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/01/11/rozanne-travels-to-africa-to-kiss-a-giraffe/) - Public relations specialist Rozanne Weissman, the 42nd dinner interviewee back in February 2012, has just released her first children's book. "Rozanne Travels To Africa To Kiss A Giraffe" tells the story of her travel to Borneo and several other African countries, featuring large color photographs of animals and the scenery from her journey. Here's the
- [Another Year Of Dining With Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2020/01/01/another-year-of-dining-with-strangers/) - So 2020 is officially here and I'm mostly glad to see the back of 2019. But there were some highlights last year, including all of the strangers I met for breakfast, lunch or dinner. From an adult movie performer to two Hollywood actresses, and from several Washington, DC, restaurant owners to a former NFL player,
- [Getting 'Christmas Crumble' To 100,000 Views](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/12/17/getting-christmas-crumble-to-100000-views/) - Lorraine Bowen, the hilariously eccentric singer-songwriter I met for an interview way back in January 2013, is hoping to get her festive song "Christmas Crumble" to 100,000 views before the end of the year, so get clicking and help her reach her goal. Lorraine found fame in the UK when she appeared on Britain’s Got
- [Dining With Strangers In England](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/11/26/dining-with-strangers-in-england/) - In a few weeks' time I'll be back in England for Christmas and staying through to early 2020 -- and while I'm back I'm eager to do some Dining With Strangers interviews. If you live anywhere in England (ideally London or East Yorkshire, although I'm open to traveling to other locations) and want to share
- [Jim Piddock's Off To The Races](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/10/29/jim-piddocks-off-to-the-races/) - Actor, writer and producer Jim Piddock (the second stranger featured on this site) is off to the races after writing the script for an upcoming movie starring Jeremy Irons about the legendary British horse racing trainer Sir Henry Cecil. Screen Daily broke the news of the production, quoting producers Andrew Berg and John Sachs of Eclipse
- [Stephen Tobolowsky's Spanish Prayer Book](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/30/stephen-tobolowskys-spanish-prayer-book/) - If you've ever wanted to see actor and writer Stephen Tobolowsky (the 66th dinner stranger) perform, you've got a great chance to do so next month in Los Angeles at one of his six performances in a play. Stephen, perhaps best known as insurance salesman Ned Ryerson in the movie "Groundhog Day," will be performing
- [Enter The Mirage Factory](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/10/enter-the-mirage-factory/) - New York Times-bestselling author Gary Krist (the 70th stranger featured on this site) most recently wrote "The Mirage Factory," a marvelous non-fiction book tracking three notable figures during Los Angeles' boom period from 1900 to 1930. The LA Times last week had praise for Gary's work as part of a broader article discussing books that track
- [Celebrate Dino's Grotto At Two Closing Parties](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/09/03/celebrate-dinos-grotto-at-two-closing-parties/) - There are just two weeks left to enjoy the great food and drink at Dino's Grotto, the DC restaurant whose owner Dean Gold I profiled for Dining With Strangers in May 2018. Dean -- whose life before becoming a restaurateur included selling wine, studying economics, selling dope to jazz musicians, and more -- in July
- [Seeking Strangers In DC (And Elsewhere)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/08/27/seeking-strangers-in-dc-and-elsewhere/) - It's been a while since I've taken a stranger out to dinner, but I'm in the process of organizing some interviews in the coming weeks. As part of that effort, I'd love to hear from people in Washington, DC, with an interesting story to tell. If you live in, or near, the District and want
- [The Tobolowsky Files](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/08/05/the-tobolowsky-files/) - Actor and writer Stephen Tobolowsky, featured as the 66th stranger on this site, will be performing a live version of his podcast The Tobolowsky Files later this month near Seattle in Port Townsend. It's a great chance to see this master storyteller in person as he talks with the show's producer and host David Chen. They're performing
- [Book A Dinner (Now With Working Link!)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/30/book-a-dinner-now-with-working-link/) - Want to be featured on Dining With Strangers? I'd love to hear your life story. Join me for a meal (I pay) at a restaurant (you choose) and let me interview you while we enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner -- or even just coffee and a snack. The form to book a dinner with me
- [Burt Young Confirms For Comic Con Scotland](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/23/burt-young-confirms-for-comic-con-scotland/) - Actor Burt Young is perhaps best known as the character Paulie from the Rocky series of movies, but he's also an avid painter and writer -- things I discovered when I met him in Port Washington, New York, in October 2011 for the 39th Dining With Strangers interview. Now it's your turn to meet Burt (at
- [Interview 47: The Mistress Of Melody](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/01/30/the-mistress-of-melody/) - Earlier this month I was back in England to visit my family. On the way back to the States, I managed to sneak in a dinner with singer and songwriter Lorraine Bowen. Lorraine is a charming, funny and outgoing woman who writes quirky songs about offbeat subjects, including what goes into a burger patty; an
- [Interview 48: A Matter Of Life O'Death](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/02/28/a-matter-of-life-odeath/) - Last weekend I was in New York and had an enjoyable lunch with David Rogers-Berry, the drummer for the band O'Death. Over plates of Mexican food in Brooklyn, he told me about how he got into music from an early age and his goals for the band. There's much more to David's story -- including
- [Interview 49: The Food Critic](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/09/17/the-critic/) - An update! An honest-to-goodness new interview! Today's article is my dinner with New Orleans restaurant critic Tom Fitzmorris, the host of a long-running radio show dedicated solely to talking about food, in a city famed for its great restaurants. He also operates The New Orleans Menu website that's overflowing with reviews and other information about
- [Interview 50: My Visit To Storyville](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/10/31/my-visit-to-storyville/) - The second of my two recent(ish) interviews in New Orleans is online! Late in August -- yes, I realize that my turnaround time on these articles is awfully slow -- I had lunch with Josh and Natalie Harvey, owners of the custom design t-shirt company Storyville based in the Crescent City. Full disclosure: this is
- [Interview 51: My Dinner With Jaws](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/12/06/my-dinner-with-jaws/) - Actor Richard Kiel is perhaps best known as the villain Jaws from two James Bond movies in the 1970s. And now he can be known as the 51st person to be interviewed for Dining With Strangers. It's like winning an Oscar! All right, it's nothing like winning an Oscar. Nevertheless, Richard agreed to have dinner
- [Interview 52: Dinner With The Jazz Man](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/02/19/dinner-with-the-jazz-man/) - The first interview of 2014 is here. Hooray! In late January I sat down to dinner with DC-based jazz musician Aaron Myers. We met at the Mediterranean Spot, a small, friendly place in the U Street neighborhood. Over plates of shawarma, Aaron told me about his early introduction to jazz and blues, his stint as
- [Interview 53: Matt For DC](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/02/27/matt-for-dc/) - Well this is novel: I wrote up an interview the same month it occurred! Matt Abbruzzese is a New York state native who moved to the District of Columbia several years ago. He fell in love with the city, and started doing volunteer work for various community and local government organizations. Now he wants to
- [Interview 54: Space Oddity](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/03/14/space-oddity/) - The man in the picture below is Jeffrey Johnson. Now picture Jeffrey -- a Washington, DC, resident -- in a bright pink wig, dress and makeup, standing behind a piano and performing a cabaret show. You've just imagined his creation Special Agent Galactica, a hired assassin who travels through space and time. When she's not
- [Interview 55: From Introvert To Extrovert](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/04/18/from-introvert-to-extrovert/) - “A stranger's just a friend you haven't met!” -- the all-singing, all-dancing cast of Oh Streetcar! in The Simpsons episode “A Streetcar Named Marge” That lyric is something the Elizabeth Moore must have taken to heart, because the 24-year-old takes every opportunity to introduce herself to strangers, packing her calendar with three or four events
- [Interview 56: The Costume Technician](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/05/16/the-costume-technician/) - Edwin Schiff doesn't quite know what his future holds, but he's certain that it will be something do with working as a theater costume technician. During a recent dinner in Washington, DC, Edwin told me how a technician is different from a costume designer and what the job involves.
- [Interview 57: Louisa Hall Is Your Friend](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/06/louisa-hall-is-your-friend/) - Ukulele-wielding singer-songwriter Louisa Hall carries her instrument most everywhere she goes. She's prone to taking the ukulele out and strumming a few chords or singing a song in public from time to time, as I found out when we got dinner in Washington, DC. A lover of awkward humor and quick to laugh, it was
- [Interview 58: All About Mary](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/13/all-about-mary/) - During my recent trip to New Orleans, I had lunch with Mary Burns. Click on this link or on her picture below to read the first part (details below) of my interview with her. Born and raised in the Big Easy, she's a retired Catholic school teacher who now teaches dance class for zydeco music:
- [Interview 58: Zydeco People](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/20/zydeco-people/) - Last Friday I uploaded part one of my interview with Mary Burns, an outgoing and energetic woman who used to be a catholic school teacher in New Orleans. These days she teaches dancing to zydeco music. She had so many stories to tell that I figured the best option was to break up my interview
- [Interview 59: Chatting With A Cellist](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/27/chatting-with-a-cellist/) - During my visit to New Orleans last month, I had a couple of fun interviews. First up was retired high school teacher and now dedicated zydeco dancer Mary Burns, and I've already posted part one and part two of my lunch with her. The day after my time with Mary, I went to historic French
- [Interview 60: Behind The Craft](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/07/11/behind-the-craft/) - Writer Dave Barry once quipped, “Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.” Brendan Kelleher would likely agree. He runs Behind The Craft, a website featuring his visits
- [Interview 61: My Dinner With Matt Bauman](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/08/08/my-dinner-with-matt-bauman/) - There's a pretty straightforward headline for you: today's update is interview 61, my night out in New York City with actor/realtor/website owner Matt Bauman. Click on the picture above or on this link to read about our dinner at Italian restaurant Locanda Verde in the city's Tribeca neighborhood. During our enjoyable meal, Matt told me
- [Interview 62: How To Get To Sesame Street](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/08/14/how-to-get-to-sesame-street/) - Anyone who grew up watching the incredibly popular children's show Sesame Street recognizes the theme tune immediately. Several kids sing the question "Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?" After my latest meal with a stranger, I know the answer. Turns out the puppets that populate that fictional New
- [Interview 63: A Night On The (Old) Town](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/09/05/a-night-on-the-old-town/) - Living in Washington, DC, means it's only a short subway or car ride to Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. It's a nice place to visit and has a host of wonderful restaurants serving everything from soul food to fine dining. But I don't get there enough. So I was glad when Marlene Hall, my latest
- [Interview 64: Gaining Their Religion](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/10/01/gaining-their-religion/) - A dinner interview with a couple in Santa Fe, NM, whose experiments with the drug DMT opened their mind to omnism, the belief in all religions.
- [Interview 65: Meeting Michael Hitchcock](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/10/22/meeting-michael-hitchcock/) - If you've seen the television show Glee, or any of Christopher Guest's fake documentary comedies, or pretty much any big TV show or movie in the last few decades, then you've seen Michael Hitchcock's work as an actor and writer. Michael, who lives in Los Angeles, is currently hard at work as a staff writer
- [Interview 72: In Christy's Shoes](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/04/06/in-christys-shoes/) - Jacki Barnett never intended to be a fashionable fundraiser. But after her best friend Christy passed away from brain cancer at age 33, Jacki and two other friends launched a fashion-focused charitable organization in Christy’s honor. In Christy’s Shoes hosts shoe fashion shows to raise money that the group then donates to charities helping women
- [Interview 66: Stephen Tobolowsky's Adventures](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/11/07/stephen-tobolowskys-adventures/) - Stephen Tobolowsky knows how to tell a story. And he's got many of them to share. The character actor -- perhaps best known for his role as overbearing insurance salesman Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day -- was happy to talk during a lengthy breakfast last month in Los Angeles. In fact, he's got so much
- [Interview 66: Storytelling With Stephen Tobolowsky](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/11/14/storytelling-with-stephen-toblowsky/) - Click here or on the picture below for part two of my two-part interview with character actor and storytelling writer Stephen Tobolowsky, which took place at a diner in Los Angeles. In the first part, Stephen shared anecdotes about his extensive acting career. In the second part, he describes how he got into writing, and
- [Interview 67: Brobson's Big Easy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/11/21/brobsons-big-easy/) - Brobson Lutz moved to New Orleans decades ago to study medicine at Tulane University, and has stayed ever since. For years he's lived in the French Quarter, enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of everything that the Big Easy has to offer. With a Southern drawl and an easygoing charm, he makes for great company
- [Interview 68: Chatting With Caecilia](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/12/12/chatting-with-caecilia/) - My 68th dinner is now online! This is my meal with Caecilia Kay. She's a single mother living in Maryland with a dream of one day being a communications and public relations professional. She's on medical disability at the moment, so trying to find the right balance between coping with disability, motherhood, and her dreams
- [Interview 69: The Bee Lady](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/12/29/the-bee-lady/) - For more than 30 years, Jean Bishop has dressed up in an eye-catching bumblebee costume as a way to gain attention for her fundraising efforts for Age UK, a British charity that offers a host of services to the country's elderly. Her sunny demeanor and energetic, award-winning fundraising efforts -- she's raised more than £100,000
- [Interview 70: The Battle For Modern New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/02/13/the-battle-for-modern-new-orleans/) - Gary Krist is a New York Times best-selling author whose latest book, Empire of Sin, is a work of historical non-fiction chronicling New Orleans in the early 1900s. It's a fascinating story about the battle for the modern city, played out mostly in the notorious Storyville district where prostitution and other debauchery ran rife. During
- [Interview 71: Searching For Louise](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/03/13/searching-for-louise/) - Maryland resident Dr. David Sherer has fond memories of the African American maid Louise that helped raise him as a child. But the two lost contact in the 1980s. A few decades later, David decided that he needed closure and wanted to reunite with Louise — and to chronicle his efforts in a book. That’s
- [Interview 73: Dating In DC](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/05/12/dating-in-dc/) - After four years and almost 100 first dates, Craig Schattner is still single. So he decided to try and answer the question of whether the inability to find a long-term girlfriend stems from a problem with him, or with the District of Columbia where he lives. Craig -- an experience cameraman -- decided to launch
- [Interview 74: A Meal In Milan](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/05/29/a-meal-in-milan/) - During my recent trip to Italy, I had a night alone in Milan. That meant I was looking for a stranger to dine with me. I posted an ad online asking if anyone would join me, and waited. Thankfully, along came Federico Leidi for a meal at a decades-old restaurant in the city center --
- [Interview 75: The Restaurateur](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/06/03/the-restaurateur/) - The Musso & Frank Grill is a Hollywood landmark. Since 1919, the restaurant has catered to more television, music and movie stars than current proprietor Mark Echeverria can count -- not that he names names. The venue prides itself on being a low-key place for celebrities to visit, free from paparazzi. During a recent trip
- [Interview 76: Meeting Mr. Melamed -- Part I](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/06/19/meeting-mr-melamed-part-i/) - Today marks only the third time I've had a two-part interview on the site. The reason for today's two-parter is because Hollywood actor Fred Melamed had so many interesting things to say about his life that breaking our almost four-hour dinner into two segments is the only way I can do justice to his storytelling.
- [Interview 76: Meeting Mr. Melamed -- Part II](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/06/26/meeting-mr-melamed-part-ii/) - Last week I uploaded part one of my interview with actor Fred Melamed. As promised, one week later I'm uploading part two. In this installment, Fred talks more about being adopted as a baby; his experiences meeting his birth mother and father; moving from New York to Los Angeles; his interest in writing; his return
- [Interview 77: A Meal At Marrakech](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/07/17/a-meal-at-marrakech/) - Late last month I had dinner with DC resident Jenny Wang. She works in public relations in the District, and has fallen in love with the city. Jenny said life in Washington is a big contrast from the rural Pennsylvania town where she grew up, and also shared tales about her childhood. During our almost
- [Interview 78: FuckUp Nights In The District](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/08/14/fuckup-nights-in-the-district/) - Apologies for the swear word in this post's title, but FuckUp Nights is the name of an organization that brings entrepreneurs together to share stories of business failures, discuss what they learned from the bad experiences, and provide insight that might help them and others in the future. The group started in Mexico several years
- [Interview 79: Young At Heart](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/09/04/young-at-heart/) - Barbara Crocker knows how to stay young at heart. She recently turned 62 and told me during dinner at Le Diplomate in Washington, DC, that she feels younger than ever. Her life is packed with activities ranging from fundraising for Georgetown University to trekking to the top of some of the world's tallest mountains. Where
- [Interview 80: After The Storm -- Part I](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/09/11/after-the-storm-part-i/) - Last week I was back in New Orleans for the Labor Day weekend. On that Saturday, I was honored to get the chance to reunite with three people who have in recent years featured on Dining With Strangers. We gathered at the fine dining restaurant Antoine's -- which has been open since 1840 -- with
- [Interview 80: After The Storm -- Part II](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/09/18/after-the-storm-part-ii/) - Sometimes I stay in touch with the strangers I meet. During the Labor Day weekend, I traveled to New Orleans to reconnect with three former strangers to find out what they've been up to since we dined together. Zydeco dancer teacher Mary Burns, cover band member Buzzy "Beano" Langford and former city health director Dr.
- [Interview 28: On The Radio](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/02/05/on-the-radio/) - The first dinner interview of 2011 is here, hooray. While I was back in England for a wonderful three-week stint over Christmas and early January, I had the chance to interview BBC radio and television presenter Zeb Soanes. Go crazy with your mouse and click here or on the picture above to find out all
- [Interview 29: Mr. & Mrs. Lincoln](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/03/01/mr-mrs-lincoln/) - The newest dinner interview is quite historical. Last month I sat down for a meal with Michael Krebs and Debra Ann Miller. They tour the country impersonating (or "presenting" in official speak) Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd in a 60-minute educational play. Click here to find out more about the couple -- a
- [Interview 30: Eating With An Environmentalist](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/01/eating-with-an-environmentalist/) - Here's a new interview from my recent trip to New Orleans. I sat down to brunch with Anne Rolfes. She's the head of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, an organization that works with communities living near refineries to collect air quality samples. They use that data to pressure industry to cut air pollution and take other
- [Interview 31: Dinner With A Pastor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/06/16/dinner-with-a-pastor/) - I kept trying to think of religious pop culture references for this post's headline, but kept coming back to the two song titles "Like A Prayer" and "Losing My Religion," neither of which really suit today's interview subject, even though he's a religious man. Pastor Patrick Walker of the New Macedonia Baptist Church in Washington,
- [Interview 32: A Vegan's Views](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/07/18/a-vegans-views/) - That creation above is a 100% vegan fake meat melt. Although I'm a carnivore, I took Katelyn Sornik up on the offer to go out for a vegan meal for my latest interview. She's relatively new to the vegan lifestyle and uses her blog to write about the adjustment, new vegan recipes with which she
- [Interview 33: Dancing With Myself](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/04/dancing-with-myself/) - I had to put on my dancing shoes for my 33rd dinner interview with a stranger. Problem with that plan is that I have two left feet. Nevertheless Julia Kulakova took pity on me as she gave me a crash-course in learning the art of gypsy dance at her weekly workout class in New York
- [Interview 34: Man On Wire](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/12/man-on-wire/) - Today's interview is with Florida-based funambulist Will Soto. Will has lived in Key West for 30 years. Five nights a week he heads down to the Mallory Square pier to perform a show for tourists that involves juggling, jokes and finale of tightrope walking without any safety nets below. Click here to learn about funambulism
- [Interview 35: Hitting The Jackpot](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/04/hitting-the-jackpot/) - Jason Ryan has it pretty good right now with a new child, renovated house and decent feedback to a book he wrote about pot smugglers in South Carolina. It was Jason's book "Jackpot" that acted as the catalyst for the two of us getting dinner on a Saturday night during my recent visit to Charleston. Click here
- [Interview 36: Caroline, Charlie & Culture](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/25/caroline-charlie-culture/) - Alliteration in the post title! Hooray! Today is one of those rare occasions when I overcome laziness to give you a brand new interview with a stranger. My 36th meal with a random takes place in Charleston, on a beautifully sunny (and only slightly humid) Sunday in August. I sat down to lunch with Caroline
- [Interview 37: Dining With A Doctor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/10/21/dining-with-a-doctor/) - Analyze this: a British journalist sits down to dinner in Rockville, Maryland with psychologist Dr. Andrea Bonior, keen to learn about her profession. Actually, I don't mind whether you analyze it or not. But I'll provide at least one conclusion for you: I had a enjoyable meal getting educated about the world of psychology, and
- [Interview 38: New York State Of Mind](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/10/27/new-york-state-of-mind/) - Ed Koch is a New York City legend. The three-term mayor has a lengthy resume that also includes several years as a congressman, a stint in the armed services, and more. Nowadays he's working at a law firm in Manhattan but keeping just as busy as ever. I met up with hizzoner for coffee and
- [Interview 39: My Brunch With Burt Young](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/11/16/my-brunch-with-burt/) - Actor Burt Young doesn't mind if people recognize him only from his role as Paulie in the Rocky movies. During a brunch interview in New York, Burt told me that he enjoys meeting fans of the boxing films and is grateful for the role. But there's far more to Burt than Rocky. He's an artist
- [Interview 40: Shamia's Fight Against Hunger](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/12/18/2350/) - It's been a while since my last dinner interview, but the middle of December turned out to be productive as I met two new strangers. The first of those two interviews is now online. Earlier this month I spent an enjoyable Saturday lunch with Shamia Hollway, learning about her role as communications manager of the
- [Interview 41: Must Be Santa](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/12/24/must-be-santa/) - Just in time for the holidays, here's an interview with Santa Claus. All right, it's actually Ed Downey, a Maryland resident who makes a living dressing up as the jolly man in a red-and-white-suit. As I learned over dinner, Ed's got plenty of tales to tell -- not only about being Santa, but his colorful
- [Interview 42: Dinner With Rozanne](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/02/26/dinner-with-rozanne/) - It's been a while since I put up a new dinner interview, but here's the first one of 2012: my dinner with marketing communications executive Rozanne Weissman in Washington, DC. Rozanne told me how she got into public relations and her earlier career as a journalist. She also had plenty to say about her work volunteering
- [Interview 43: Chatting With A Cartoonist](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/05/19/chatting-with-a-cartoonist/) - It took almost three months, but here's a new interview. A few weekends ago I traveled to Baltimore to get brunch with Ben Claassen III. He's a cartoonist and the creator of the comic strip Dirtfarm. Click here to learn about his work, and also about his somewhat unusual experiences (including witnessing the blowing up
- [Interview 44: Talking With A Tutor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/07/06/talking-with-a-tutor/) - I'm going to blame the ongoing heatwave in Washington for the reason that I haven't updated this site in a while. It has nothing whatsoever to do with laziness or other personal faults. Not at all. Entirely due to the weather. Regardless, today you get a new interview. My 44th dinner with a stranger was
- [Interview 45: Working Hard For The Money](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/08/10/working-hard-for-the-money/) - In 2010, I had brunch with Malachi Marx, a straight man who did gay porn to pay the bills. He was pretty sour on most of his experiences in the industry. Fast-forward to July 2012 and I found myself sitting across a restaurant table from Antonio Biaggi, an out gay porn star who was far
- [Interview 46: Breakfast With Katelan](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/11/28/breakfast-with-katelan/) - Woohoo, a new interview is finally online! The last interview I posted was in July, so let's just say I've been slow-walking my efforts with this website. After all, it's not my day job and taking people out to dinner can get expensive. But enough of that, on with the new article. A few weeks
- [Interview 27: Talking About Tattoos](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/12/15/talking-about-tattoos/) - Told you there was a new interview coming. Click here to learn about the life of Paul Roe, a tattoo artist living with his wife and son in Washington, DC. Paul doesn't make any old tattoos. He specializes in what he describes as "haute tattoos" -- unique images that will never be repeated.
- [Interview 20: All About Amy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/06/03/all-about-amy/) - My trip to Providence turned out to be quite productive. Four dinner interviews in the space of three days. I had dinner with a design student, brunch with an abortion rights activist and another dinner with a realtor who blogs about living in Rhode Island. The fourth and final interview was a Sunday brunch with
- [Interview 26: Words With A Writer](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/11/28/words-with-a-writer/) - Time for another dinner interview. This one took place in New York City during a recent visit up there for a friend's birthday. Side note: happy birthday again, Alistair. The picture above is of Kyle Michel Sullivan, an author of some rather controversial novels. Click on the picture or right here to find out exactly
- [Interview 25: All Politics Is Local](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/10/14/850/) - A new interview! This one is with Washington, DC, activist Bryan Weaver. Click on the picture above or right here to read about Bryan's life in Washington, his (unsuccessful) run for a seat on the city council, and much more.
- [Interview 24: An Afternoon With Albert](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/09/04/an-afternoon-with-albert/) - Been a while since I updated with an interview, huh? I'll make up for it today with an article about the latest stranger, Albert Yee. Albert was born and raised in New York, then moved to college in DC. He didn't like it there, so moved back to his home state for a while before
- [Interview 23: Words With Winston](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/08/02/words-with-winston/) - Two updates in one night? Goodness gracious. On the last day of my recent holiday in California I sat down to a meal with Winston Gieseke. Click here to read the 23rd dinner with a stranger. That's not Winston, natch. It's the exterior of Dear John's, the restaurant in Culver City where we had dinner
- [Interview 22: Gay For Pay](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/07/28/gay-for-pay/) - In Los Angeles for my 30th birthday, I organized two interviews. The first was an interview over lunch with Malachi Marx. He's a straight man who makes money as a gay for pay porn star and escort that often has sex with men. Click here to find out more about what led Malachi into the
- [Interview 21: Bloody Mary](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/06/17/676/) - Huzzah, a new dinner interview. Back in New Orleans for a holiday recently, I managed to do one dinner with a stranger. Click on the picture or above or this handy link to read about the life of Mary Millan. Also known as "Bloody Mary" she's an authentic voodoo priestess, ghost tour guide, psychic healer
- [Interview 19: What About Bob?](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/05/23/what-about-bob/) - For once, I defeated laziness and wrote up the next dinner with a stranger. Click here to read about Bob Black, a realtor in Rhode Island who manages three blogs. We met during my recent weekend trip to Providence and he was kind enough to agree to an interview at a Greek restaurant. There is
- [Interview 18: Addressing The "A" Word](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/05/10/addressing-the-a-word/) - Time for another dinner interview? Yes it is! That's Mary Ann Sorrentino, a former director of Planned Parenthood in Rhode Island. She remains a fierce abortion rights advocate, but there is so much more to her history. She's had more careers than most people experience in a lifetime, all of them interesting. Click on the
- [Interview 17: Designing Woman](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/05/01/designing-woman/) - A new dinner interview? Is it Christmas? No, of course not, we're only just in May, you fool. But never mind all that. Click right here to read the 17th dinner with a stranger. This time round I was in Providence to interview graphic design student Robin Tafel.
- [Interview 16: Tea With Teresa](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/01/12/tea-with-teresa/) - Today's dinner with a stranger is actually brunch with a stranger. But I felt that "Brunching With Strangers" was an awkward title for a website, so I'm going to say that, technically, the meal I had counts as a dinner. Right? Right. Anyway, by clicking here you can read about Teresa Suarez. I met up
- [Interview 15: Learning About Jack](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/12/09/food-with-mister-fry/) - Another update? Oh my! Here's another dinner interview, this time in New York City with actor/teacher Jack Freiberger. Click here or here or even here (hint: all the links lead to the same place) to learn about his work developing a one-man stage show (running off-Broadway until January) that merges both the acting and educating
- [Interview 14: Hocus Pocus](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/12/02/hocus-pocus/) - Let me work some magic...abracadabra, here's a new interview! This time I'm back in Washington, DC, for an interview with magician Michael Chamberlin. Click on the picture above or that link in the preceding sentence to learn about this Maryland-born magician, and also to watch a rather splendid video of a nifty magic trick he
- [Interview 13: Brunch With Buzzy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/10/18/brunch-with-buzzy/) - A new article! It must be Christmas! Or something like that anyway. Read all about my brunch interview with Buzzy "Beano" Langford, who plays guitar in a New Orleans-based cover band. I'll tell you in advance that I neglected to ask why his nickname is Beano, so please forgive my poor journalistic skills this time
- [Interview 12: Chatting In The Crescent City](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/09/21/chatting-in-the-crescent-city/) - Hooray, another dinner with a stranger, this time in New Orleans. Click here to read my recent interview with Jerry Gandolfo, owner of the city's Historic Voodoo Museum and all-round nice guy with plenty of stories to share about voodoo. He also touches on life before and after Hurricane Katrina, and other details about the
- [Interview 11: Learning About Lars](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/09/12/learning-about-lars/) - Do you want another write-up of an interview with a stranger? Well, my mum always says that "'I want' never gets'" so perhaps you should have thought about asking more politely. But I'll let it slide this time and instead serve up the latest article for this site. That's right! Two full-length interviews within one
- [Interview 10: Putting On A Performance](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/09/05/putting-on-a-performance/) - An update with actual content, fancy that! The latest dinner with a stranger is available for your reading pleasure. It took place a few weeks ago in New York City and is with Cecil Baldwin. Cecil is trying to make it full-time as an actor in Manhattan. Click away to find out more about my
- [Interview 9: Piece Of Pizza](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/07/25/piece-of-pizza/) - Here's another dinner with a stranger. In an embarrassing sign of my tardiness the interview was done exactly two months ago today, but let's skip over that tiny detail. This dinner (or more accurately lunch) is with two co-owners of a pizzeria in Washington, DC. Click on the picture of the tasty pizza above to
- [Interview 8: New York, New York](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/06/29/new-york-new-york/) - Hmm, that was quite some time since the last update. Let's get straight to business. Click on the picture above to read the latest dinner with stranger, this time with Gretchen Auer. The lady loves New York.
- [Interview 7: Learning About Lynda](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/05/29/learning-about-lynda/) - Time for another dinner interview article? Yes it is! Click here to read about my recent trip to Brooklyn and my dinner with stranger Lynda Eselp. Or don't click. It's your choice. Really, don't feel pressured. But that link to the article is feeling awfully sad today and a click would really cheer it up.
- [Interview 6: Clowning Around](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/05/16/clowning-around/) - At last, the sixth dinner with a stranger. During a recent trip to Santa Monica I sat down for burgers with a very pleasant man named Diego Barquinero. Some people may know him better as VeeKay the Clown. Read my interview with Diego/VeeKay to find out about his life in the circus.
- [Interview 5: Dinner With A Prince](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/04/11/dinner-with-a-prince/) - A new dinner with a stranger! Hooray! And more stuff with exclamation marks! This one is my first in Washington, DC, and it's with a blogger. I'll say no more. Go read!
- [Interview 4: Food With Franklin](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/03/05/food-with-franklin/) - As promised (I'm a man of my word!) here's a fresh dinner with a stranger. This time round I ventured north to Philadelphia and the historic City Tavern. That's where I met Ralph Archbold. Never heard of him? Well, he's better known as the "official" Benjamin Franklin impersonator of Philadelphia, and a quick click on
- [Interview 3: My Dinner With Margarita](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2008/12/18/my-dinner-with-margarita/) - Here's the third dinner with a stranger. This one's with Cuban singing sensation Margarita Pracatan. Don't know who she is? Then point your mouse in the direction of the picture above, click to your heart's content and read all about her. Oh, and there are some videos with this article. Yeah.
- [Interview 2: Hooray For Hollywood](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2008/12/08/hooray-for-hollywood/) - That was the best update headline I could come up with. Alas. On the recent visit to California that I mentioned in the last update, I organized the second dinner with a stranger. This time round it was Jim Piddock, an actor, writer and all-around great guy (not to mention a fellow Brit). You should
- [Interview 1: Dining With Strangers Launches!](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2008/11/25/13/) - Thanksgiving and the inevitable gluttony it brings with it is less than 48 hours away, so what better time to launch this site? All right, there are probably many other suitable times, but I had nothing to do tonight other than find creative excuses for not going to the gym, so here we are. Dining
- [Louisa Hall Brings Her Ukulele To The Birchmere](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/07/15/louisa-hall-brings-her-ukulele-to-the-birchmere/) - Louisa Hall, the ukulele-playing singer-songwriter featured as the 57th stranger on this site, will be performing in early August as part of the 10th anniversary of "The 9 Songwriter Series" -- a group of musicians working together to play larger venues than they would be able to book alone. When I met Louisa for dinner
- [A Night At The Movies With Fred Melamed](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/21/a-night-at-the-movies-with-fred-melamed/) - In the decade-plus that I've been doing Dining With Strangers, I've had a handful of interviews that justified splitting into two parts. My May 2015 dinner in Beverly Hills with actor Fred Melamed (A Serious Man, Girls, Curb Your Enthusiasm) and his wife Leslee Spieler Melamed was one of those. Our meal at The Palm
- [Santino Fontana Is On A Tootsie Roll](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/06/11/santino-fontana-is-on-a-tootsie-roll/) - Congratulations to Santino Fontana for winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for his role in Tootsie The Musical! I met Santino and his wife Jessica (also an actor and singer) for a lunch interview in March 2017. They talked about what’s it like to both be performers
- [Meet The Crumble Lady](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/29/meet-the-crumble-lady/) - Here's your chance to meet singer-songwriter Lorraine Bowen, known to many in the UK as "The Crumble Lady" because of her quirky song about making a crumble (an English dessert). I met her for dinner in London in January 2013, and loved learning about how she got started in music and what inspires her joyful,
- [Dine With A Stranger, Share Your Story](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/05/21/7968/) - Do you have an interesting life story? Want a free meal? Join me for dinner! If you're interested, it's pretty simple -- just meet with me at a restaurant of your choice for a relaxed interview where you tell me about your interesting life/career/hobby/invention/whatever. I'm based in the DC but travel fairly often, so even
- [Leslee Melamed's Art](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/22/leslee-melameds-art/) - Artist Leslee Melamed, who was the 76th dinner stranger along with her husband actor Fred Melamed, has launched a website featuring some of her work. Here's how she describes it: "On canvas, she is associated with the bold use of texture and judicious color. Early influences were Mark Rothko and Franz Klein. As a young
- [Tune In To Dino's Grotto](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/04/14/tune-in-to-dinos-grotto/) - You can now watch Dean Gold, owner of DC restaurant Dino's Grotto, online. He's launched a YouTube channel for the Italian-inspired venue, and although he's just getting started there are already several clips that should appeal to food lovers. His first is a three-video step-by-step guide to making a rissoto, and there are also clips
- [Share Your Business Failures](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/26/share-your-business-failures/) - There's an organization in Washington, DC, called FuckUp Nights that features people sharing their stories of business failures. Back in July 2015 I had dinner with the group's Meredith Denbow who talked about the benefits of openly talking about personal catastrophes. And now they're looking for speakers for their next event this spring. The events
- [Listen To Jackpot](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/19/listen-to-jackpot/) - "Jackpot," a non-fiction book about the history of pot smuggling in South Carolina written by the 35th dining stranger Jason Ryan, is now available in audio book format. I read the original paper version and can highly recommend this well-written and fascinating tale. Over an August 2011 dinner in Charleston at the since-closed Lana, Jason
- [On The Road For Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/03/11/on-the-road-for-strangers/) - Hungry? Got an interesting story to tell about your life? Dine with me! I've updated my travel plans page, including upcoming trips to New York City and New Orleans. If you live in any of the places I'm visiting and want to be featured on Dining With Strangers, get in touch. It's a simple concept:
- [Constant Wonder](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2019/02/20/constant-wonder/) - On Wednesday, Brigham Young University's radio show Constant Wonder interviewed me about Dining With Strangers. It's hosted by Marcus Smith and is says it wants listeners to "discover, explore, and reengage with the wonders of the world around you" I had a fun chat with Marcus, who was curious about why I first started the
- [A Decade Of Dining With Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/12/05/a-decade-of-dining-with-strangers/) - I forgot about this, but late last month was the 10th anniversary of Dining With Strangers. The first blog post went up on November 25, 2008, in which I announced the launch of the site. I also linked to the inaugural dinner with a stranger, #1 My Dinner With Joseph. It was a mostly accurate
- [Subscribe For Dining With Strangers Updates](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/09/18/subscribe-for-dining-with-strangers-updates/) - Let's just pretend Dining With Strangers is like a television show and I took the summer off before coming back with the next season this month. After an embarrassing dearth of dinner interviews (seriously, my last one was in May with restaurateur Dean Gold of Dino's Grotto) I'm happy to report that I have at
- [(Almost) 10 Years Of Dining With Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/05/01/almost-10-years-of-dining-with-strangers/) - A short update to say thank you to Laura Hayes of the Washington City Paper for doing a feature on the almost-10 year anniversary of Dining With Strangers. It launched on November 25, 2008, when I posted the first interview, with my friend Joe Matar learning more about him and also discussing my plans for
- [Seeking More Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2018/04/20/seeking-more-strangers/) - Oh goodness, the last update on this site was in February. I'm more active on a day-to-day basis on the Dining With Strangers Twitter account and Facebook page. But I realize it's been a long time since I featured a dinner interview (the point of the site), and I have at least two coming up.
- [Getting Festive With Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/12/15/getting-festive-with-strangers/) - In the almost 10 years I've been meeting strangers for a meal to interview them, I've engaged with a huge range of people that I'd never otherwise have had the honor of chatting with and learning about. For the holidays, I reached out to a handful of the people who have featured on this site
- [Strangers In New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/08/23/strangers-in-new-orleans/) - Later today, I fly to New Orleans for my annual Labor Day holiday -- and I'm looking for strangers to interview. If you live in the city, or know someone that lives there and would be great to interview, get in touch. I've had some great interviews in the city, covering a wide range of
- [Support For This Podcast](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/07/15/support-for-this-podcast/) - Jessica Fontana, who along with her husband Santino featured as the most recent dinner interview on this site, has just released the first in a new podcast series, Support For This Podcast, that satirizes the NPR podcast Fresh Air hosted by Terry Gross. Check it out at this link. The first episode features Jessica as the host Emily
- [Einstein Returns](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2017/01/03/einstein-returns/) - Actor Jack Fry, the 15th stranger I dined with, is heading to New York City this month with his one-man show Einstein! The play is based on more than 15,000 documents from Albert Einstein's life, with Jack playing the scientist on a bid to set the record straight about his professional and personal life. The
- [New Year's Resolution: Dine With A Stranger](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/12/31/new-years-resolution-dine-with-a-stranger/) - Want to share your life story? And get a free meal? Dining With Strangers lets you do both at once. As you're writing your new year's resolution lists, add dinner with a stranger (me) on the to-do list. Meet with me at a restaurant of your choice, for a relaxed interview where you tell me
- [So Long, Storyville](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/12/28/so-long-storyville/) - Sad news from New Orleans, with the announced closure at the end of December of t-shirt shop Storyville, which is run by former dinner interviewees Josh and Natalie Harvey. Storyville specialized in unique and funny designs, and gained some notoriety in the Big Easy with a "Brad Pitt For Mayor" t-shirt that generated headlines locally and nationally. Other
- [A Very Merry Margarita Christmas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/12/23/a-very-merry-margarita-christmas/) - The most festive interview I've done so far for this site was in December 2011 when I got dinner with Ed Downey, who for years has performed as Santa Claus. He had plenty of interesting things to say about his unusual job, as well as his adventure-filled life. But a few years before that, I
- [Impulse: Patience: Discipline](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/11/10/impulse-patience-discipline/) - There are two reasons I know Michael Wilkinson. First is that he's one of the founders of Washington, DC-based pizza chain Pete's Apizza, which specializes in New Haven-style pizzas. Michael was one of the first people to do an interview for this site, meeting me for lunch at the company's Columbia Heights location in May
- [Talking Politics At The Dinner Table](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/11/08/talking-politics-at-the-dinner-table/) - As Americans head to the polls for the 2016 elections, here's a look back at my political dinner interviews. Although it's generally believed that people shouldn't talk politics or religion at the dinner table, some of the interviews I've done over the years have been focused heavily on political talk. Since launching this site in
- [Rest In Peace Ed Koch](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/02/01/rest-in-peace-ed-koch/) - Sad news out of New York City: former Mayor Ed Koch has died. In October 2011, I spent an hour or so with Mr. Koch in his corner-room office at the law firm where he worked each day. We shared coffee and cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, and I quizzed him about his tenure as the
- [Psychology With Dr. Andrea Bonior](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/09/20/psychology-with-dr-andrea-bonior/) - Psychologist Dr. Andrea Bonior (stranger 37) has just released a new book. "Psychology: Essential Thinkers, Classic Theories, and How They Inform Your World," available starting today, analyzes some of the biggest names and theories in her field and applies them to real-world situations. Andrea's website says this about the book: "By taking a comprehensive look
- [It's Only Taken More Than A Decade...](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/06/23/its-only-taken-more-than-a-decade/) - ...but here's a somewhat new site design for Dining With Strangers. After launching the site in late 2008 the layout has pretty much stayed the same the entire time. Now, thanks to the joys of WordPress and the free themes available, I'm able to make it look a little nicer. Kudos to the developers of
- [Meet The Mascots](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/09/08/meet-the-mascots/) - The first full trailer is now out for Christopher Guest's new movie "Mascots," coming a few weeks after a teaser for it. Dining With Strangers is not a movie news site, but the film features two hilarious actors who've been featured on this site. Jim Piddock was the second interview, back in 2008 when I
- [Dine With A Stranger In New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/09/01/dine-with-a-stranger-in-new-orleans/) - Live in New Orleans? Want to tell your life story over a free meal? If so, message me and let's get dinner during the next few days! I just arrived in the Big Easy and will be here through Tuesday night. Since 2008, I've been meeting random strangers from all over the United States, eager
- [Lorraine Bowen's Reggaeton Crumble Song](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/08/16/lorraines-reggaeton-crumble-song/) - Quirky British singer-songwriter Lorraine Bowen has just released her latest song, the "Reggaeton Crumble," a homage to reggae, Latin music and London's Notting Hill carnival. Lorraine -- the 47th stranger I met for dinner -- found fame in the UK when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent performing her song about cooking crumble, a type
- [Polyester Fiesta](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/05/13/polyester-fiesta/) - If you live in England and are looking for a fun way to spend a day, check out singer Lorraine Bowen's Polyester Fiesta and other shows. Her website lists several upcoming performances, and she's well worth a listen. I interviewed Lorraine in January 2013, and had a blast. She writes quirky tunes about topics ranging
- [She's Good At Cooking Crumble](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/05/28/shes-good-at-cooking-crumble/) - The mistress of melody Lorraine Bowen is finally getting the recognition she deserves! Lorraine, a delightfully outgoing woman, is a singer-songwriter from England whose hits take on unusual topics. She's written ballads about waiting in a queue at a post office, or opining about the mysteries of what burger meat is made from. Recently she
- [Mascots](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/08/09/mascots/) - Netflix just released a teaser for Christopher Guest's next comedy film "Mascots," set in the competitive world of sports mascots. The film will be available to subscribers starting October 13. A previously released flyer for the movie said, "Welcome to all the drama, intrigue and occasional excitement of the 8th World Mascot Association Championships, where
- [Margarita Pracatan's Greatest Hits](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/07/26/margarita-pracatans-greatest-hits/) - Hello! Is it Margarita Pracatan you're looking for? The Cuban singing sensation -- and the third stranger I met for dinner -- is celebrating with a greatest hits show September 15 and 29 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City. Both shows start at 7pm and are just $22. I've hung out with
- [Improv With Stephen Tobolowsky](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/07/14/improv-with-stephen-tobolowsky/) - Want to call character Stephen Tobolowsky your improv teacher? Now's your chance. Stephen -- perhaps best known as insurance salesman Ned Ryerson (bing!) from Groundhog Day -- is hosting a class at Kalmeson & Kalmenson in Burbank, California, starting this Sunday July 17 and running through August 28. In October 2014, Stephen was kind enough
- [Bloody Mary's California Tour](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/07/05/bloody-marys-california-tour/) - New Orleans-based voodoo priestess "Bloody" Mary Millan is heading to California. From August 10th through 17th, Mary -- my 21st dining companion -- will be visiting San Francisco, Oakland and Santa Cruz. She's appearing at festivals, book signings, a paranormal conference and more. She's also available for private voodoo consultations. My lunch with Mary in
- [Updating With Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/06/17/updating-with-strangers/) - A new two-part interview starts this Friday, but until then here's a quick wrap-up of some updates about a few of the 75 strangers I've interviewed since starting the site in 2008: -- Quirky musician Lorraine Bowen has a ringtone out of her hit "The Crumble Song" made infamous thanks to her appearance on Britain's
- [Good Taste & Gatherings Launches](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/12/20/good-taste-gatherings-launches/) - A few months ago I mentioned a fundraising project for "Good Taste & Gatherings," a web-based documentary series bringing people who like good food together to share a meal. Sadly, the organizers never reached their target. However, they pushed ahead with the project and yesterday released the first pilot video from the series. It features
- [Good Taste & Gatherings](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/09/01/good-taste-gatherings/) - If you're interested in food and have a couple of dollars to spare, there's a Kickstarter project out in Los Angeles that you might want to read about. It's a planned documentary web series called "Good Taste & Gatherings," which will focus on people with who like food and bringing people together over a good
- [Black & Gold: Encore](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/11/19/black-gold-encore/) - New Orleans-based t-shirt company Storyville is taking entries through Nov. 23 for its latest monthly contest to design a tee. November's theme is "Black & Gold: Encore" -- a second chance to craft a t-shirt dedicated to the primary colors of the city's football team the Saints. I interviewed Storyville's owners Josh and Natalie Harvey
- [Build Wetlands, Not Walls](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/06/25/build-wetlands-not-walls/) - New Orleans-based t-shirt company Storyville is getting political. The company, run by couple Josh and Natalie Harvey, has just launched a new range of t-shirts and tank tops (for adults and children) with the logo "Build Wetlands, Not Walls." In an email announcing the new design, Storyville said, "With some help from popular designer Christopher
- [Searching For Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/03/26/searching-for-strangers/) - Do you live in Nashville, Chicago or Washington DC and want to dine with a stranger? If so, click here to organize dinner with me and be featured on Dining With Strangers. I'll be traveling to Nashville in April and Chicago in May and am eager to interview anyone in either of those cities. There
- [Sole Celebration](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/03/22/sole-celebration/) - In Christy's Shoes -- an organization that hosts shoe fashion shows to raise money for non-profits including women’s shelters and more -- is hosting a fundraiser next month. Jacki Barnett, one of the organization's founders who I interviewed in March last year, sent me details of the April 10 event, which starts at 4pm at
- [Enter The Spirit Realm](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/05/18/enter-the-spirit-realm/) - New Orleans-based voodoo priestess "Bloody" Mary Millan -- the 21st dining stranger -- has revamped her website and unveiled a new blog, video series, and much more. Her website, Bloody Mary's Tours, featured details on all of the above as well as personal tours around the Big Easy where she explains the city's rich voodoo
- [Kanki Sushi](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/03/19/kanki-sushi/) - Here's the last of three short restaurant reviews from my recent New York trip. On my last day I needed a quick but filling lunch. Looking around the neighborhood near my hotel in Queens, I found the well-rated Kanki Sushi. This Japanese kitchen offers fresh sushi as well as various other dishes, including shrimp or
- [An Evening At Cafe Henri](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/03/12/an-evening-at-cafe-henri/) - During my New York trip I also discovered a great French restaurant in Long Island City. Cafe Henri, much like Balthazar, offers several dishes you'd expect at a decent bistro, including mussels with fries; hanger steak; croque monsieur and croque madame; and an impressive range of crepes with sweet fillings for dessert. During my visit
- [Back To Balthazar](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/03/08/back-to-balthazar/) - On a return trip to New York this week, I ate again at the restaurant Balthazar. Not that the recommendations of a random British guy might mean anything, but for anyone that is looking for somewhere to dine in Manhattan I strongly encourage a trip to this French bistro-style place. This was my fourth visit
- [Hail, Caesar!](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2016/02/10/hail-caesar/) - This weekend I saw Hail, Caesar! -- a movie whose stellar cast includes George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes and many other notable actors, including Fred Melamed. Fred was 76th interview for Dining With Strangers, and a very interesting fellow. The movie is set in 1950s Hollywood and follows the day in the life of
- [Give My Love To Hull](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/12/04/give-my-love-to-hull/) - Hull, England, is a place where I spent many years of my life -- and now former dining stranger Lorraine Bowen has written a song about the city. Although I've lived in Washington, DC, for 11 years now and counting, I spent my (rather plump) childhood and teenage years -- complete with awful curtains haircut
- [Crazy Ex-Girlfriend](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/12/03/crazy-ex-girlfriend/) - A brief update on Michael Hitchcock, the 65th dining stranger. Michael, a well-known actor and writer (including work for the television show Glee and several Christopher Guest movies such as Best In Show) is now a co-executive producer and writer on the CW comedy series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. I met Michael in October 2014 during a
- [In Transit](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/11/08/in-transit/) - There's an interesting new site launched called In Transit, in which blogger Evy approaches random strangers while traveling and asks them for their life story. As described on her "About The Blog" page, In Transit "explores the stories and lives of people who are waiting in areas of transit. Why are they there? Who are
- [Another FuckUp Night](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/11/04/another-fuckup-night/) - FuckUp Nights, the group that hosts discussions about the lessons learned from business failures, is holding its eighth event in Washington, DC, on November 18 at 7pm at WeWork in Dupont Circle. Click on this link for more details or to register for the event. As the hosts describe it, "FuckUp Nights is a monthly
- [Podcasting With Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/10/19/podcasting-with-strangers-2/) - Just wanted to say a thank you to the podcast Take 3 for mentioning Dining With Strangers. The weekly podcast by Danielle Sills and Sara Shookman of WKYC Channel 3 in Cleveland, Ohio, features local and national news and cultural discussions. I'm honored their thought my website was interesting enough to discuss on this week's
- [Welcome To Night Vale](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/10/16/welcome-to-night-vale/) - It's always nice to see former dining strangers enjoying success. So I was suitably giddy to see actor Cecil Baldwin (the 10th stranger) appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night. He was on the show to promote the podcast Welcome To Night Vale, presented as a radio show for a fictional desert
- [Fred Melamed Follow-Up](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/10/14/fred-melamed-follow-up/) - Here's a brief follow-up on what actor Fred Melamed (stranger 76) has been up to since we got dinner in Beverly Hills in May. First, he's one of the actors in the new Hulu series Casual. During our meal at the Palm (accompanied by Fred's wonderful wife Leslee Spieler Melamed) he talked about the fun
- [Attend FuckUp Nights](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/10/07/attend-fuckup-nights/) - Eager to learn from other peoples' business failures? Then get to The Coupe restaurant in Washington, DC, on Thursday October 15, at 7pm. That's where the group FuckUp Nights will be hosting the latest in its series, or "volumes," of events where people share their calamities and what they learned from them. I learned about
- [The Lion's Den](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/09/26/the-lions-den/) - Jazz vocalist Aaron L. Myers II -- the 52nd stranger featured on this site -- is gearing up for the release of his second album, The Lion's Den, which will be available starting October 2. I met Aaron in Washington, DC, in January 2014. Over a decent meal of Mediterranean food, Aaron told me what
- [Stephen Tobolowsky's Storytelling](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/09/22/stephen-tobolowskys-storytelling/) - Actor Stephen Tobolowsky is recognizable from hundreds of television and movie appearances, often easily remembered as the endlessly energetic insurance salesman Ned Ryerson from Groundhog Day. But Stephen is also an expert storyteller, and is putting that skill to good use in a film released today called The Primary Instinct. It's a simple concept for
- [Margarita Pracatan's New Year's Eve](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/09/16/margarita-pracatans-new-years-eve/) - Cuban singing sensation Margarita Pracatan -- my third interview -- will be headlining a New Year's Eve party in my home country of England, taking place at the Eagle in London. Click here for more details on the "Camp NYE" event. I can highly recommend getting to see Margarita perform with her unique singing style
- [Michael Wilkinson's Closing Party](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/09/02/michael-wilkinsons-closing-party/) - Former dining stranger Michael Wilkinson is not only one of the founders of Pete's New Haven Style Apizza chain in Washington, DC, but also an avid photographer who is inviting people to the closing of his latest show. His work has been on display at Mara Home at 2213 14th Street NW, and the closing
- [Interviewing With Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/08/22/interviewing-with-strangers/) - The last week or so has been a bit bonkers for me. I've found myself on the opposite side of the interview, being asked questions about Dining With Strangers and why I launched the website. It all started thanks to the Washington Post. Their reporter Mike Rosenwald turned the tables (pun?) by taking me out
- [La-Ti-Do Takes Manhattan](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/08/20/la-ti-do-takes-manhattan/) - Do you live in New York and want to see a cabaret show called La-Ti-Do? Of course you do! And even if you don't live in the Big Apple, head up there! Launched in Washington, DC, La-Ti-Do is a weekly chance for local artists to gather and perform. I learned about the group through former
- [Strangers Wanted](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/07/11/strangers-wanted/) - I realize I've not updated since last month's interview with actor Fred Melamed. Whoops. The 77th dinner with a stranger will be online next week. But in the meantime, I'm getting ready for a holiday that includes stops in several cities. If you live in any of the below locations and will be around on
- [The Primary Instinct](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/05/21/the-primary-instinct/) - Stephen Tobolowsky is a great actor, and an equally great storyteller. He's getting ready to promote his upcoming film The Primary Instinct, a Kickstarter-funded "concert" movie featuring him telling his unique brand of anecdotes. Nothing else. Just Stephen, a camera, and his stories. And I already know it's going to be great. Although he's recognizable
- [The Trip To Italy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/05/02/the-trip-to-italy/) - Just back from a trip to Italy (insert joke here about arms being tired). As expected, the food was great in the three places I visited: Milan, Lake Garda, and Venice. Below is a picture of the very first meal I had in the country, a pizza at the fantastic Milan restaurant La Cadrega. In
- [Visiting The Lincolns](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/04/14/visiting-the-lincolns/) - April 14-15 marks the 150th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth during a performance of “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC. But you probably know that factoid, so what’s the connection between that tragedy and Dining With Strangers? Back in February 2011 I had dinner in
- [Next Step Realty: NYC](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/04/01/next-step-realty-nyc/) - Great news for former dinner interviewee Matt Bauman — the New Yorker will be appearing in an upcoming ABC reality television show about Next Step Realty, a firm that works with college graduates moving to New York City to pair them with realtors. Matt was one of the founding real estate brokers at the company,
- [Ukelele Joy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/03/03/ukelele-joy/) - Ukulele-playing singer-songwriter Louisa Hall — dinner stranger #57 — was on stage at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center recently playing her instrument, singing her songs, and generally appearing to have a great time. You can watch her performance by clicking here. She starts out with her cover of The Decemberists’ “Shankhill Butchers,” a song about the
- [Happy New Year](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2015/01/15/travel-plans/) - Happy new year! The first dining interview of 2015 is scheduled to take place later this month in Washington, DC, so look for that article early in February. In the meantime, if you came here via a mention on the Today show of "dining with strangers" I'm sorry to say you're looking for the wrong
- [Another Year Of Dining](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/12/31/another-year-of-dining/) - As 2014 draws to a close, here's a recap of the strangers I met during the year. Early in the year I was interviewed by Perry Stein of the Washington City Paper for an article about Dining With Strangers. I had a fun time talking with the reporter, and it was unusual to be the
- [The Stranger Before Christmas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/12/18/the-stranger-before-christmas/) - Heading back to England tomorrow for a two-week trip to the home country. While there, I'm hoping to do one more interview before Christmas Day. That'll help me hit my self-imposed goal of doing at least one interview a month in 2014. That interview is meant to take place on Monday. So in the meantime,
- [National Lager Day](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/12/10/national-lager-day/) - A little late in the evening for this, but today is apparently National Lager Day in the United States. If only it could be a public holiday, then I might be able to get fully behind it. I discovered this fact while browsing the multiple daily updates that New Orleans food critic Tom Fitzmorris writes
- [All Are Welcome](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/12/04/all-are-welcome/) - Michael Wilkinson is one of the founders of Washington, DC-based pizza restaurant company Pete's New Haven Style Apizza. Back in 2009, he let me into Pete's Columbia Heights restaurant to learn all about how he got involved in the business -- and I even got to try my hand a making one of their excellent
- [Rest In Peace Richard Kiel](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/09/10/rest-in-peace-richard-kiel/) - "Well, here's to us." -- Jaws in Moonraker Sad to read tonight that Richard Kiel, perhaps best known as the villainous Jaws in two Roger Moore 007 movies, died this afternoon. He was my 51st dinner interviewee. We met in Washington, DC, last November while he was taking part in a James Bond party at
- [Tales Of The Crescent City](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/08/29/tales-of-the-crescent-city/) - New Orleans is an amazing city. Outstanding food, some of the best cocktails in the States, great live music, beautiful architecture, friendly people -- these are just a handful of its many perks. I first visited the Crescent City in May 2004, more than a year before Hurricane Katrina hit it in August 2005. On
- [DC Beer Week](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/08/13/dc-beer-week/) - It's Beer Week in Washington, DC, from August 17-24. Alas, with this site being Dining With Strangers and not Drinking With Strangers, I won't be writing anything about the celebration. But the festival's website shows there are a host of beer tastings and other events taking place throughout the week. One person who would likely
- [Out Of Hands We Go](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/08/05/out-of-hands-we-go/) - Back in February 2013 I had an enjoyable and interesting lunch with David Rogers-Berry, drummer for the goth country band O'Death. He told me about his love of good music and how he's focused far more on ensuring the integrity of his band than churning out millions of albums and raking in money for an
- [Einstein!](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/08/01/einstein/) - Actor and former dinner interviewee Jack Fry is getting great reviews for his one-man show "Einstein!" in which he plays the eponymous scientist as he describes his push to prove his theory of relativity. Jack and I had dinner one night in December 2009, after I saw his other one-man show "They Call Me Mister
- [Louisa's Ukelele Shows](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/07/30/louisas-ukelele-shows/) - I'm back from holiday, hooray! I did two new interviews, hooray! Now I have to do the hours-long process of transcribing and editing them. Far less hooray. But stay tuned, because I hope to have the 61st dinner interview online next week. Meanwhile, if you live in the Washington, DC, area, you can hear the
- [Holiday Road](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/07/17/holiday-road/) - Heading out on the road for a holiday with a few stops along the eastern seaboard, so there won't be any updates for a couple of weeks. That should save you the exasperation of hitting refresh every five seconds. I'll be doing a couple of interviews while on my travels, and hope to have the
- [Gettysburg Rap](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/07/06/gettysburg-rap/) - If you're looking for some musical entertainment today, check out ukelele-playing singer-songwriter Louisa Hall's tremendous "Gettysburg Rap" -- a lyrical ode to one of the most important battles of the American Civil War. Louisa is a funny and charming woman, as I discovered when I interviewed her in Washington, DC, recently. Click here for the
- [Aaron's Trip To Blues Alley](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/25/aarons-trip-to-blues-alley/) - Jazz pianist Aaron L. Myers II, a former Dining With Strangers interviewee, will be performing at Blues Alley in Washington, DC, later this year. Here's a link to the details for the show, which takes place on September 3 at 8pm. I didn't get the chance to hear Aaron tickle the ivories during my dinner
- [On The Move](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/17/on-the-move/) - Hey you! Yes, you, the one reading this! Do you live in New York City? No? How about Atlantic City? Also a negative, eh. Well, what about Philadelphia, Miami or Chicago? If you're in any of those places and want to do an interview for this site, get in touch! I just updated my upcoming
- [The Pink Haired One](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/17/the-pink-haired-one/) - Special Agent Galactica will be bringing "her" unique cabaret show to Virginia and New York next month. After seeing the space traveler perform at a small show in Washington, DC, I can recommend going. I used quote marks to describe her, because in reality Galactica is the alter ego of District resident Jeffrey Johnson. A
- [The Topcats Tour New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/12/the-topcats-tour-new-orleans/) - Back in August 2009 I had an enjoyable lunch interview with Buzzy "Beano" Langford, guitarist with New Orleans-based cover band The Topcats. Over a three-course meal at the excellent Bayona he told me about life in a city famed for its musicians. Cut to the present day and it seems that Buzzy and the Topcats
- [Field Of Lost Shoes](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/06/10/field-of-lost-shoes/) - Exciting news about former dinner interviewee Michael Krebs, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator. He plays Honest Abe in a new film called Field Of Lost Shoes. Apparently it tells the story of the Battle of New Market in Virginia during the Civil War. Based on the trailer (viewable by clicking here), the movie seems to have
- [My Darlin' New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/05/29/my-darlin-new-orleans/) - Back from an extended Memorial Day weekend in New Orleans, one of my favorite cities in the world. While I was there, I took full advantage of some of the seemingly endless list of great restaurants that the city has to offer. Tried both the decades-old places, such as Tujage's, and some brand new stand-out
- [Special Agent Galactica](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/04/15/special-agent-galactica/) - Huh, it's been about a month since I last updated this site. Whoops. Thank you in advance for your kind forgiveness. I'll make it up to you later this week when I upload interview #55. Not much more to say on that one till it's written, so let me tout the work of my second-most
- [Extra! Extra! Read All About It!](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/03/10/3263/) - A few weeks ago reporter Perry Stein of the Washington City Paper called to interview me about Dining With Strangers. She took my blather and turned it into a pretty nice piece which was published online last week. Pros of the article: Perry was able to take 15 minutes of my ramblings and make me
- [I'm Walking To New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/02/24/im-walking-to-new-orleans/) - All right, I'm not really walking to New Orleans, that would be ludicrous. However, I am flying down there for Memorial Day weekend and will be in the city from Friday May 23 through Tuesday May 27. I'm eager to interview anyone who lives in the city and is interested in dining with a stranger.
- [K-Paul's Six Years Later: Still Great](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/02/16/k-pauls-six-years-later-still-great/) - My last New Orleans restaurant review from my January trip down to that wonderful city. Uh oh. I'm going to need to write actual interviews again. Some people look down on "celebrity" chefs and their restaurants. I've heard these critics grumble that they're all style over substance, or that the skills that made the chefs
- [DC Lo-Fi](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/02/13/dc-lo-fi/) - One of the first people I interviewed for this site has a photography show coming up this weekend, and everyone is invited. Although it's probably most appropriate if you live in Washington, D.C. But feel free to fly in from overseas! Michael Wilkinson is one of the brains behind Pete's New Haven Style Apizza, a
- [Jazz Brunch At Commander's Palace](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/02/11/jazz-brunch-at-commanders-palace/) - Back from my cruise and have nothing memorable to report on the food served on-board, so back to the New Orleans restaurant reviews. Oh, what a night. At least that's what one of my friends must thought as we took our seats at Commander's Palace for Sunday jazz brunch. He looked a little paler and
- [Sea Cruise](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/02/01/sea-cruise/) - Every time I hear the words "sea cruise" I can't help but think of the Huey Smith song. If you're not familiar with it, click here and have a listen. Anyway, I've had enough of the record-low cold temperatures in Washington, so I'm going to get on a cruise and sail into the sunshine. No,
- [Chowing Down At Cochon](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/01/31/chowing-down-at-cochon/) - Our vaguely hedonistic weekend in New Orleans was off to a cracking Saturday start following a stellar lunch at Antoine's. To work off some of the indulgence at that classic restaurant, my friends and I strolled around the French Quarter before wandering in to a tourist trap called Maison Bourbon. The interior with its exposed
- [An Afternoon At Antonie's](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/01/29/an-afternoon-at-antonies/) - Antoine's in the French Quarter of New Orleans claims to be the oldest family-run restaurant in the United States, opening in 1840. It's true old-school fine dining, with crisp white tablecloths, impeccable service, and a menu of items so rich you need a shot of Pepto Bismol for a digestif. After a hit and miss
- [Herbsaint's Hit And Miss](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/01/27/herbsaints-hit-and-miss/) - It was windy and a little chilly on the Friday night my friends I arrived in New Orleans, but it felt like the Caribbean compared to being back in Washington, DC, with record-low temperatures and a broken heating unit at home. For dinner that night, we strolled from our rented apartment in the French Quarter
- [Eating Well In The Big Easy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2014/01/24/eating-well-in-the-big-easy/) - Just returned from a glorious long three-day weekend in New Orleans, where I was able to revisit some old favorite restaurants, try some new ones, and even managed to fit in some activities that didn't require food and drink. My friends and I made the most of the culinary and liquid entertainment that the Crescent
- [A Year Of Dining](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/12/20/a-year-of-dining/) - I am currently ensconced in my bedroom at my parents' place back in the windswept, rainy northeast of England so that pretty much guarantees there won't be another dining interview before next year. So by way of year-end wrap-up, here's a recap of the strangers that I met for a meal in 2013: Stranger #47
- [No News November](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/12/03/no-news-november/) - Apparently I'm a fan of alliteration in these post titles. Anyway, to make sure the lead matches the headline, let me apologize to my handful of readers for the total lack of updates in November. That should hopefully change later this week when I upload interview #51, my dinner with a James Bond villain. Stay
- [Weaver Ward One (Again)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/09/09/weaver-ward-one-again/) - Community activist Bryan Weaver -- my 25th dinner interviewee -- is running again for the Ward One seat on the D.C. Council. Bryan, originally from Oregon, long ago made the capital city his home and at our dinner almost three years ago he spoke fondly about his adopted hometown, and enthusiastically on the issues of
- [Return Of The Sporadic Update](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/08/19/return-of-the-sporadic-update/) - Well this site has certainly not achieved anything resembling regular updates this year. Whoops. Efforts to correct that are underway, with a possible interview this weekend in Chicago and a definite interview later this month in New Orleans. If you live in either city and are interested in an interview, check out the dates I'll
- [The Windy City](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/06/11/the-windy-city/) - I'm kind of obsessed with the New Orleans-set 1980s movie The Big Easy, featuring Dennis Quaid as a cop with an atrociously stereotypical N'awlins accent (think lots of use of the word "cher" to end every sentence, for example). So I was surprised to read online that it was originally going to be set in
- [Horsing Around](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/02/26/horsing-around/) - A quick update to give a shout-out to British musician Lorraine Bowen (interview #47) who has updated her website with all kinds of bells and whistles. Give it a visit and listen to some of her quirky and catchy tunes. I can highly recommend a listen to "The Burger Song" which I've handily cut-and-pasted below
- [New Year's Resolutions](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2013/01/10/new-years-resolutions/) - A new year has started and my resolutions success rate is already spotty at best. I've already done one dinner interview in 2013, part of what I hope will be a fulfilled goal of completing more than the five interviews from 2012. But I've also not started on transcribing it even though it was more
- [Here Comes Santa Claus](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/12/22/here-comes-santa-claus/) - Merry Christmas to this site's handful of readers! I'm flying back to England for the holidays and won't be updating Dining With Strangers until early next year. So you can stop feverishly clicking "refresh" in the hope that a new interview will suddenly appear. That's my festive gift to you. As I don't have anything
- [Year In Review](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/12/07/year-in-review/) - 2012 was what I will generously describe as a year of sporadic updates for Dining With Strangers. I went several months between some interviews. Despite the infrequent articles, it was an interesting year and I got to meet some people and learn about careers I'd never otherwise have experienced. Presented in handy bullet-point format --
- [Four More Years](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/11/25/four-more-years/) - I launched Dining With Strangers four years ago today. Back then I had precisely zero interviews planned other a lunch with my friend Joe, where we came up with the idea for the site. At least, I'm going to claim I was 95% of the inspiration for site, he just provided the 5% of mockery.
- [Keeping Up With The Lincolns](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/11/19/keeping-up-with-the-lincolns/) - Another excuse to make an old article relevant! Yay! In February last year I had dinner with Michael Krebs and Debra Ann Miller, who make a living acting as Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd. They were fantastic company, and both had interesting stories about their careers on stage. Why am I mentioning the
- [What About Dick?](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/11/14/what-about-dick/) - A quick plug for Jim Piddock -- my second ever dining interview, lucky man -- who stars in a one-off comedy special called What About Dick? alongside Tim Curry, Eric Idle, Tracey Ullman and a bunch of other famous types. You can download the show for $6 at its official website, or watch a preview
- [A Same-Sex Marriage 'Last Stand'?](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/11/09/a-same-sex-marriage-last-stand/) - This is hardly breaking news anymore, and my site isn't exactly CNN, but on Election Day in the States, voters approved measures in Maine, Maryland and Washington to legalize same-sex marriage. In Minnesota, voters also rejected a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. It's still unlawful at the federal level. What has this got
- [East Coast Travels](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/09/24/east-coast-travels/) - A quick update on my travel plans -- Philadelphia and New York City are now on the list for weekend trips in October. I'll be in the City of Brotherly Love Oct. 6-7 and the Big Apple Oct. 13-14. I also like using city nicknames, apparently. If you live in either of those cities and
- [Visiting The Golden State](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/09/06/visiting-the-golden-state/) - In late October and early November I'll be in California -- Los Angeles, specifically -- for a couple of days. Check out my travel plans page for more information. If you live out there and are interested in doing a dinner interview, please get in touch. Also, in terms of new dinner interviews...well, I don't
- [Made In England](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/08/07/made-in-england/) - My travel plans within the United States are a little uncertain for the rest of the year -- potentially a trip to Los Angeles in October/November, so as always I'd be interested to hear from people in the City of Angels who are up for an interview. However, I'll be back in England for sure
- [Brunch With Ben](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/05/10/brunch-with-ben/) - It's been quite some time since my last dinner interview. That will thankfully change in the coming week when I put up my brunch interview with cartoonist Ben Claassen III. I met Ben in Baltimore and he told me all about his artistic work. More on that when I put the article up, but in
- [Summer In The Sunshine State](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/04/19/summer-in-the-sunshine-state/) - The travel plans page has been updated to include an upcoming trip I'm taking in July to Florida. I'll be in Miami from July 18-20 and Key West from July 20-22. If you live in either place and want to sit down to dinner for an interview, please get in touch. On a trip to
- [Even More Malachi Reaction](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/03/29/even-more-malachi-reaction/) - My interview with former gay-for-pay porn star Malachi Marx is still generating comments almost two years after I sat down to lunch with him. I wouldn't normally post an update on this or other comments -- mostly because my site gets nothing but spam comments talking about the Zune or offering advice on the best
- [My Kind Of Town](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/03/27/my-kind-of-town/) - Next month I'll be in Chicago for a long weekend and am looking for people in the Windy City interested in having dinner with a stranger. I'll be there from April 13 through the afternoon of April 17. Though I'll be working for some of the trip -- yes, I have a day job --
- [You Are In An Open Field](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/03/07/you-are-in-an-open-field/) - It's always interesting (at least to me) to find out what past interviewees are up to these days. While I've taken a hiatus from doing "Where Are They Now?" podcasts -- mostly out of sheer laziness -- I still occasionally get email updates from some strangers. Case in point: Cecil Baldwin. The New York City-based
- [Fighting Over Marriage](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/03/03/fighting-over-marriage/) - After reading about Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signing a bill legalizing gay marriage earlier this week, I remembered a Sunday dinner interview I had last year with Patrick Walker -- a DC-based pastor who has fought against gay marriage. Read my interview with Patrick to learn more about his stance on the issue and his
- [Almost Maine (In Virginia)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/02/23/almost-maine-in-virginia/) - Readers of this site living near Tysons Corner, Virginia, have a chance to check out a play directed by one of my former interviewees, magician Michael Chamberlin. However, time is running out because the play's last night is this Sunday, February 26. Michael sent me a link to 1st Stage Theatre which is hosting "Almost,
- [Be Excellent To Each Other](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/02/17/be-excellent-to-each-other/) - This weekend is President's Day in the United States, which means lots of scholarly assessments of the country's leaders and...all right, no. It just involves getting a three-day weekend and seeing a bunch of television adverts where men dressed like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln offer holiday deals. Fittingly, one of my former interviewees is
- [Margarita Pracatan Sings For You](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/02/03/margarita-pracatan-sings-for-you/) - If you've ever wanted to see Cuban singing sensation Margarita Pracatan taking to the stage and wowing people with her unique vocal talents, now's your chance. Margarita will be performing live Friday, March 23 at New York's Beechman Theatre. Apparently for the cost of a $15 ticket with a $15 drink/food minimum (well worth it,
- [Movin' Right Along](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/01/04/movin-right-along/) - I've updated my 2012 travel plans with some tentative locations. Although quite a few of the dates listed are subject to change, I'm interested in hearing from people in each of the places listed. If you live somewhere I'm visiting and would like to have dinner with a stranger to be featured on this site,
- [Julia's Holiday Greetings](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2012/01/01/julias-holiday-greetings/) - Happy new year and all that. My resolutions include going to the gym more than once before December, and finishing a 694-page headache of a book I've been reading since April, the title and author of which shall remain nameless. For the first update of 2012, here's a holiday greeting card from Julia Kulakova, a
- [Lars Stephan's Christmas Card](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/12/23/lars-stephans-christmas-card/) - I had a grad plan to send all my readers Christmas cards this year, but the cards were so elaborate and made of such high quality materials that I couldn't get them finished in time. All right, that preceding sentence is a complete lie. One person who has managed to send out a Christmas card
- [Vague Promises Of Updates](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/12/13/vague-promises-of-updates/) - Hmm, almost a month since my last update on here. I'm going to just pretend that I wanted my dear readers to have time to savor my recent interviews with former New York City Mayor Ed Koch and actor/artist/write Burt Young. Yeah, that's the ticket! So, please savor away. Meantime, here's a limp offer of
- [Dancing Through Life](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/11/10/dancing-through-life/) - The United Nations is throwing Julia Kulokova a birthday party. All right, that's not exactly true. Rather, Julia will be performing at a UN gala later this month the same day as her birthday. She's a dancer, specializing in Gypsy styles, and she told me all about her career during a lunch interview in July.
- [Food In Florida](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/11/08/food-in-florida/) - Last weekend I spent a very enjoyable weekend in Orlando, Florida. In addition to getting my bumbling body thrown around the Universal Studios rollercoasters (and soaked on the Jurassic Park ride), I got to try two great restaurants thanks to the recommendations of my host and friend Bryan. One was for brunch, the other for
- [Fond Of Fiola](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/10/19/fond-of-fiola/) - Had dinner last night at Fiola, at Italian restaurant in Washington, DC. It's downtown and really quite difficult to locate if you don't know the precise route to take, given that it's tucked off a side street. After wandering aimlessly for a while, I managed to find the place and waited for my friends. When
- [Podcast #28](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/10/17/podcast-28/) - Recently I uploaded a podcast of my interview with magician Michael Chamberlin and, like magic (or more accurately because I hit "publish" on WordPress) you now get an update on what Mike's been doing since the interview. [display_podcast] This update was a bit delayed while Mike and tried to schedule a time to talk. Give
- [A Weekend In Arizona](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/10/06/a-weekend-in-arizona/) - The weather's getting cold in DC, so I was thankful for the chance to escape to Arizona last week for the wedding of my friends Adam and Stephanie. Seeing them tie the knot in Tucson was tremendous. The hangover from too much sangria at the wedding was not as great. And I have no recollection
- [Podcast #27](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/27/podcast-27/) - Today's podcast is magical. [display_podcast] It's an interview I did in November 2009 with Michael Chamberlin, a magician who splits his time between living in New York and Washington, DC. Listen to the podcast to find out how he got involved with the art of magic.
- [Podcast #26](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/23/podcast-26/) - Earlier this week I put up a podcast of my interview from August 2009 with New Orleans-based musician Buzzy "Beano" Langford. Typically I'd use a Friday site update to present a "Where Are They Now?" podcast catching up with the person I interviewed. [display_podcast] Alas, my best efforts to track Buzzy down for a follow-up
- [Praising Medium Rare](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/21/praising-medium-rare/) - I like puns. I blame my Dad for that. A sample of the kind of eye-rolling hilarity that he and I are fond of: I have a dentist's appointment tomorrow. It's at two thirty. Get it? Tooth hurty? Ho ho ho. But how is that type of humor relevant to this update? Bear with me.
- [Podcast #25](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/20/podcast-25/) - Jazz is one of the things New Orleans is best known for. But when I visited the city in August 2009, I found myself at lunch not with a jazz musician. Instead, I broke bread with rock and roll musician Buzzy "Beano" Langford, a member of New Orleans-based cover band The Topcats. Being party of
- [Top Marks For Ted's Bulletin](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/17/top-marks-for-teds-bulletin/) - I might have a new favorite restaurant in Washington. Ted's Bulletin serves basic but well done American fare like meatloaf, fried chicken and -- oh, who am I kidding? I'm fond of their food, but I think I'm embarking on a passionate romance with the restaurant's alcohol-fueled milkshakes. I could tout the great 1930s-style decor
- [Insert Social Media Buzzwords Here](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/17/insert-social-media-buzzwords-here/) - A very sparse update that is a sad cry for attention. I have little knowledge about what to do with so-called social media. My personal Facebook page mostly involves embarrassing photos from nights out or friend posting puns, cat-related news articles and stories about the Queen of England. However, in a lazy attempt to promote
- [Podcast #24](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/16/podcast-24/) - Earlier this week, Jerry Gandolfo of the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum kindly shared a few minutes of his time to update me on his life in the two years since we ate together in New Orleans at the decades-old Court of Two Sisters restaurant. [display_podcast] Click on the player above to listen to Jerry's
- [Lauding Lincoln (Somewhat)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/14/lauding-lincoln-somewhat/) - Last Friday night is the name of a tolerable Katy Perry song. It's also the time that I sat down to dinner with my friend Patrick at DC restaurant Lincoln. The place serves "small" plates of American dishes like chicken pot pie, soft shell crab, lobster beignets and New York strip steak. At first glance,
- [Podcast #23](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/13/podcast-23/) - Today's podcast is of my interview in August 2009 with Jerry Gandolfo, curator of the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. [display_podcast] During dinner in the city's French Quarter I learned about Jerry's life story, which includes a stint in the military before he returned to his beloved hometown of New Orleans and eventually took on
- [Podcast #22](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/09/podcast-22/) - I had to call another country for today's Where Are They Now? [display_podcast] Photographer Lars Stephan is an utterly likable fellow, as I learned when he and I shared supper in Brooklyn two years ago. What has Lars been doing since the interview? Your curiosity can be sated by listening to the above podcast, which finds Mr.
- [Podcast #21](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/06/podcast-21/) - Since moving across the Atlantic, I've been delighted by the number of public holidays Americans get to enjoy. So it was that yesterday I had Monday to myself thanks to the Labor Day holiday. I should have been productive with my time off and cleaned the house, maybe gone for a run, done something creative...but
- [Podcast #20](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/09/02/podcast-20/) - Good things come to those who wait. At least, that's the saying. Maybe my inherent impatience is the reason why the number of good things coming my way tends to be somewhat teeny. Regardless, actor Cecil Baldwin is an incredibly patient man. [display_podcast] In my interview with Cecil back in August 2009 he told me
- [Podcast #19](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/30/podcast-19/) - All the world's a stage and something something. I don't remember much of my English literature classes on Shakespeare except for my kindly old grandma of a teacher who hated confrontation, and would whisper the platitude "perceptive insight" in response to whatever thoughts you had about the Bard's works no matter how wrong, even if
- [Podcast #18](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/26/podcast-18/) - On Tuesday I uploaded a podcast of my interview with Mike Wilkinson and Alicia Wilkinson-Mehr, co-owners of Pete's Apizza in Washington, DC. [display_podcast] Earlier this week I called Mike for a quick chat to find out how Pete's has developed in the roughly two years since the interview.
- [A Taste Of India](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/24/a-taste-of-india/) - Last night my friends and I had dinner at Capitol Hill Tandoor & Grill, a restaurant in DC's Eastern Market neighborhood. The venue's website offered "the exotic tastes of India," a promise that I approached with a cautiously arched eyebrow because my bland taste buds usually mean that spicy Indian food brings tears to my eyes.
- [Podcast #17](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/23/podcast-17/) - In May 2009 I had lunch with Mike Wilkinson and Alicia Wilkinson-Mehr, owners of the DC-based pizzeria Pete's Apizza. Why am I only now getting round to putting up a podcast of the interview? Good question. [display_podcast] Let me evade your inquiries, random website visitor, and instead urge you to throw you clicking device in
- [Zesty Sunday](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/21/zesty-sunday/) - Had brunch today at Zest, a new restaurant in DC's Eastern Market neighborhood. In terms of appearance, it's a very peppy (zesty, perhaps?) place, with plenty of natural light and an upbeat soundtrack of pop tunes playing at a respectable level in the background. But that's about as far as I can take the compliments.
- [Podcast #16](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/19/podcast-16/) - Every Friday after I upload a podcast interview I've been following up with a briefer Where Are They Now? update in which I call the interviewee to find out what they've been up to since they sat down to a meal with me. Until now. [display_podcast] Slight problem getting an update from Gretchen Auer, the
- [Podcast #15](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/08/16/podcast-15/) - New York, New York, it's a hell of a town. [display_podcast] So thinks Gretchen Auer. My eighth interviewee, Gretchen was born in a small town in Ohio and for years longed to move to Manhattan. As I found out when we sat down to brunch in New York back in May 2009, she doesn't regret
- [My Own Private Island](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/07/29/my-own-private-island/) - Although I recently wrote a summary of restaurants I tried in Key West, I had to dedicate a post solely to my favorite dining spot in the Conch Republic. For my 31st birthday I decided to push the boat out literally and figuratively by having dinner at Latitudes, a fine dining restaurant on a private
- [Key West Restaurant Roundup](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/07/27/key-west-restaurant-roundup/) - During my holiday in Key West I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of the various dining options on the island. I was on holiday with my housemate and both he and I had nothing but good things to say about our eating experiences while down there. Here's a quick summary of several
- [Back From Key West](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/07/25/back-from-key-west/) - Safely returned from Key West and only slightly sunburned. All right, a lot sunburned. That's what you get when you stick a pasty British man in the beautiful Florida sunshine. I was able to do an interview while down South, finding time to sit down to lunch with a stranger in-between such time-consuming holiday activities
- [Podcast #14](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/07/15/podcast-14/) - Following on from Tuesday's podcast reliving my interview from 2009 with single mother Lynda Eselp, today you can find out what she's been doing since she sat down with me for a late-night meal in Brooklyn. Note: The podcast is currently unavailable Look for a new interview coming on Monday. After that, don't expect any
- [Podcast #13](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/07/12/podcast-13/) - Ooh, number 13, unlucky for some. Lynda Eselp might have felt unlucky in May 2009 given that she had to spend an evening in Brooklyn sitting across from me and listening to me firing questions at her while scarfing down my dinner. But if she was feeling that way she hid it well. It was
- [Scenes From An Italian Restaurant](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/07/06/scenes-from-an-italian-restaurant/) - It took six years, but I finally found outstanding Italian food in DC. I don't just mean the occasional tasty dish. I'm talking about top-notch, consistently great food from the appetizers through to the dessert, with a great menu to choose from. The place is Al Tiramisu in Washington's Dupont Circle neighborhood. Sunday night ahead
- [Podcast #12](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/07/01/podcast-12/) - Back under the big top for today's Where Are They Now? interview. The other day I called Diego Barquinero, better known as VeeKay the Clown, to ask him what he's been doing since the night in March 2009 when he and I sat down to a meal of burgers in Santa Monica, California. [display_podcast] Diego
- [Podcast #11](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/06/28/podcast-11/) - Roll up, roll up for the latest podcast! My sixth interview was quite memorable because my dining companion showed up in his work clothes. That might not be so notable if the person in question worked as a plumber or an office drone. But Diego Barquinero is a circus clown, and he showed up to
- [Podcast #10](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/06/24/podcast-10/) - So the podcasts were on a brief hiatus owing to 1) travel, b) unavailability of some interviewees and iii) general ineptitude on my part. I'm sure it's been difficult to cope without listening to my dulcet tones online. Ever the problem solver, I'm going to end that difficulty today with the 10th podcast, a Where
- [Flying Down To Florida](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/06/13/1623/) - Hooray for updates! I should have the 31st dinner interview online later this week. As always, laziness might intervene, but I'm hoping to fight it off. Likewise, podcasts should start up again as early as next week, so woohoo for that. Meanwhile, an update to my travel plans. For my 31st birthday (ugh) I'll be
- [Breakfast At Fripon's](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/06/05/breakfast-at-fripons/) - Woohoo, more Montreal restaurant reviews. Last Saturday morning my friend Brent, my housemate and I had breakfast at Le Fripon in Old Montreal. It's a restaurant housed in a historic building in the Place Jacques-Cartier, a large square that apparently is home to nothing but dining option after dining option, all with terraces looking out
- [Money's Too Tight For Steak](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/06/02/moneys-too-tight-for-steak/) - Bonus points if you get the reference in the post title. Even more bonus points if you're actually a reader of this site and not some spam comments robot. Following on from my post about poutine, I wanted to give praise to the place I had dinner on Friday night in Montreal. Vieux-Port Steakhouse in
- [Canadian Bacon (And Poutine)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/31/canadian-bacon-and-poutine/) - That's a photo of a particularly dreary Friday in Montreal. Flew back on Sunday from a long weekend in the Canadian city, and boy are my arms tired. Ho ho. I was up there for a wedding on Saturday, giving me roughly a day-and-a-half to explore the city and its various culinary offerings. This post
- [Podcast #9](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/24/podcast-9/) - My interview with blogger Dan Silverman was the first dinner with a stranger I ever did in DC. It was also in March 2009. It's so dated that the restaurant we ate at has since closed. Nevertheless, today you get a podcast of it. [display_podcast] Normally I'd follow up the years-old interview with a Where
- [Podcast #8](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/20/podcast-8/) - Following Tuesday's podcast of my interview with Benjamin Franklin impersonator Ralph Archbold in Philadelphia more than two years ago, here's a Where Are They Now? podcast providing an update on what he's doing these days. [display_podcast] Meanwhile, one week from now I'll be flying to Montreal, Canada. I don't have much free time because it's
- [Podcast #7](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/17/podcast-7/) - What inspires someone to dress up as Benjamin Franklin and impersonate the Founding Father (some Brits might say traitor, but I won't dwell on relatively ancient history)? Find out with today's podcast, my interview with Ralph Archbold. He's been impersonating Franklin for years and made quite the career out of it. [display_podcast] In the time
- [A Vote For Mary Ann](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/14/a-vote-for-mary-ann/) - Roughly one year ago I had an enjoyable brunch in Providence, Rhode Island, with Mary Ann Sorrentino -- abortion rights activist, radio show host, and now a columnist for various newspapers and websites. She emailed to say that one of her articles, "Professional Women," has been nominated as one of six candidates for inclusion in
- [Podcast #6](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/13/podcast-6/) - Huzzah, another Where Are They Now? podcast. Today you can listen to my recent brief chat with Margarita Pracatan, finding out what the Cuban singer has been up to following my interview with her. [display_podcast] Hopefully I'll have a new interview taking place on Sunday night, but given my procrastinating nature it'll be a little
- [Podcast #5](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/10/podcast-5/) - My dinner with Cuban singer Margarita Pracatan is now available as a podcast. [display_podcast] A word of caution before you hit "play" above. The interview ended with Margarita and me taking a stab at singing some karaoke staples ("New York, New York" and "Take A Chance On Me") and sound clips of both efforts round
- [Praise For The Bulldog](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/09/praise-for-the-bulldog/) - A few weeks ago I wrote mini reviews of some New Orleans dining spots that my friends and I visited during our recent trip to the Big Easy. Turns out my pea-sized brain was not functioning on all cylinders, because I forgot one place. The Bulldog, on Magazine Street in the city's Garden District neighborhood,
- [Seeking New Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/08/seeking-new-strangers/) - A quick shout-out for new strangers to book dinners. I've got a couple of interviews coming up in Washington, DC, later this month but am always looking for new people to interview. But you don't necessarily need to live in DC to go to dinner with me. Later in May I'll be in Montreal and
- [Podcast #4](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/06/podcast-4/) - Today's Where Are They Now? podcast catches up with Jim Piddock. Actor/writer/Brit Jim now lives in Los Angeles. I interviewed him in 2008 during a visit to California, and you can read the article or listen to a podcast of it. More than two years later, what has Jim been up to? Click on the
- [Podcast #3](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/05/03/podcast-3/) - My attempt to convert all the dinners to podcasts continues with the second interview, my dinner in California with actor/writer/Brit Jim Piddock. [display_podcast] You can listen to the podcast using the player above, or click here to find out more about the podcasts and how to subscribe to automatically receive future installments. Check back on
- [Podcast #2](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/04/29/podcast-2/) - Earlier this week I put up the first Dining With Strangers podcast, my interview with Joseph Matar in New York City. The interview was back in November 2008, so I decided to call Joe the other day to find out what he's up to these days. [display_podcast] Click on the player above to listen to
- [Podcast #1](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/04/26/podcasting-with-strangers/) - When I launched this site in late 2008, I was too dim to think of the wisdom of making my interviews available in both text and audio form. I realize the dinner interviews are fairly lengthy articles and not everyone is okay with sitting staring at a computer screen for 10 minutes to get through
- [Dessert In A Mug](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/04/23/dessert-in-a-mug/) - Back from a long weekend in New Orleans and in desperate need of 1) money, b) the gym and iii) knowledge of whatever happened in the hour after I drank a bucket of frozen mango margarita and quickly turned a little bit simple. While down in the Big Easy, my friends and I wandered round
- [Another Slice Of Pizza](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/04/22/another-slice-of-pizza/) - Remember my interview with Michael Wilkinson & Alicia Wilkinson-Mehr, owners of DC-based Pete's New Have Style Apizza? No? Then I'm just heartbroken! Through my uncontrollable tears I can manage to type a short note to update on Pete's, a delicious pizza restaurant that started life in the city's Columbia Heights neighborhood. According to the company's
- [Back From The Big Easy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/04/19/back-from-the-big-easy-2/) - Back from New Orleans, with a fresh interview in tow. Well, the audio of an interview. Now I have to write the article, a task at odds with my general love of procrastination. More on the interview, and the restaurant where it took place, in a week or so. While I was down in the
- [Where To Dine?](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/04/05/where-to-dine/) - Why do the majority of spam comments on my site center on a debate over the Zune digital music player, or blush-inducing sexual references? Curious. Still, I guess some comments are better than no comments. Some articles on my site get no comments while others get a fair amount, particularly my interview with gay-for-pay porn
- [Goin' Back To New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/04/04/goin-back-to-new-orleans/) - Next week I'll be back in New Orleans for an annual long weekend holiday with a few friends. I am sure I will be sober and behave maturely the entire visit. The cliche about it being impossible to find a good restaurant in the Crescent City is almost true. I've had a few less-than-stellar meals
- [Ping Pong Dim Sum](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/04/03/ping-pong-dim-sum/) - No, that headline isn't just a random assortment of four words. Ping Pong Dim Sum is the name of a dim sum restaurant in Washington, DC, that I tried for the first time this weekend. Though this site isn't exactly up there with Zagat for restaurant recommendations, I can happily give this place a Roger
- [A Whole Lot Of Nothing Going On](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/03/24/a-whole-lot-of-nothing-going-on/) - More than a fortnight without an update. Whoops! Not much to report in the world of dining interviews, though I hopefully have a couple coming up in Washington, DC and Baltimore in the next few weeks. I'm always looking for people to interview in the DC area, so if the idea of dinner with a
- [Happy Mardi Gras](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/03/08/happy-mardi-gras/) - It's Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, whatever you want to call it. Back home the last day before Lent is better known as Shrove Tuesday, or more accurately best known as Pancake Day. A day dedicated to pancakes? What could be better? Alas, I won't get to enjoy my parents' delicious homemade pancakes given the whole
- [Talking Italian](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/02/28/talking-italian/) - This weekend I had dinner with some good friends at Bistro Italiano, a charming little restaurant in Washington DC's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Why do you care? You probably don't, but I can use a miniature restaurant review as an excuse for a site update. Tucked away on a street of row houses, the Italian restaurant
- [Updates With Strangers](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/02/23/updates-with-strangers/) - A brief post to update on a few strangers. First, local DC politician Bryan Weaver is running in the election for the city's at-large council seat. Read my dinner interview with Bryan for a rather comprehensive overview of his life story, and find out the reasons why he got involved in politics in the first
- [Come Dine With Me](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/01/30/come-dine-with-me/) - My first dinner interview outside the States is coming next week. While all three of you loyal readers wait anxiously for that article, take a peek at my recently updated travel plans. This year I'll be visiting Boston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Montreal, Canada. If you live in any of those places and are
- [Twittering About Something](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/01/04/twittering-about-something/) - So I joined Twitter today. Exciting life that I lead, eh? Click here or on the above picture to see my Twitter page and follow me, as the kids say on the Interwebs. I can't promise any earth-shattering revelations through the magic of a 140-character message on Twitter, but I'll try to think of some
- [Happy New Year](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2011/01/03/happy-new-year/) - Happy 2011 to this site's devoted readers. I'm very grateful for you both. Nothing in the way of major news or articles today, other than to let you know of an update to my travel plans. They're rather few and far between at the moment, but if you live in England or Montreal, Canada, take
- [Merry Christmas (From Lars)](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/12/21/merry-christmas-from-lars/) - My Christmas cards to you wonderful readers are in the mail. Take my word for it. While you wait in anticipation -- and inevitable disappointment when you realize my claim about sending you a card is a lie -- click away at the picture above to see a festive card e-mailed to me by a
- [Whatever Happened To...?](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/12/14/whatever-happened-to/) - There's a new article coming in the next few days, promise. In the meantime, here are a few updates on some of the strangers I've interviewed for this site: -- Author Kyle Michel Sullivan has had some of his books banned from sale on Amazon -- Looking for Christmas cards? Activist Mary Ann Sorrentino has
- [Thankful For Thanksgiving](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/11/26/thankful-for-thanksgiving-2/) - Ah, Thanksgiving. One of the greatest discoveries I made after moving to America is the holiday of Thanksgiving. It's an excuse to stuff one's face with food and drink a tad too much alcohol. Not that I need an excuse to do either of those things. This year's Thanksgiving was at my roommate's parents' house,
- [Home Sweet Home](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/11/24/home-sweet-home/) - Next month I'll be flying back to the United Kingdom for Christmas. I should be there from Christmas Eve through early January. While I'll be staying in the North of England, I'm open to traveling to other parts for dinner interviews, if you live in my home country and are interested in taking part in
- [With A Little Help From My Friends](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/10/20/with-a-little-help-from-my-friends/) - By way of updates, I hope to have two interviews next month in DC with some quite interesting people. At least, that's the hope. But as a wise man once said, you can hope in one hand and crap in the other, and see which one gets filled first. Wait...where was I going with this
- [Slight Misunderstanding](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/10/16/slight-misunderstanding/) - Following on from my interview with Bryan Weaver, there's one anecdote from the dinner that he wanted me to share on this site. After our roughly two-hour dinner, Bryan suggested that we get a nightcap at El Paraiso Restaurant, a place just off U Street in the city's northwest section where he knows the owner,
- [All Quiet On The Dining Front](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/10/10/all-quiet-on-the-dining-front/) - Ah, Dining With Strangers. I remember this site. So I didn't update much last month, but I am writing up the 25th dinner interview and hope to have it online soon. This one took place in my current city of Washington, DC. If you live there and fancy sitting down to a meal with a
- [No News Is Good News](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/09/01/no-news-is-good-news/) - Well, I'm going to pretend that no news is good news in order to justify the fact I had only two updates for this site last month. However, I hate to hurt your feelings so I'll be sure to update with another interview in the coming days. Hooray for that. By the way, I'm going
- [Mixed Reaction To Malachi](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/08/02/mixed-reaction-to-malachi/) - Apparently, my recent interview with gay for pay porn star/escort Malachi Marx prompted a mixed reaction from people online. Thanks to the magic of my web hosting company I've been able to track links in to the interview from gay porn sites such as this one, another one and yet another. The comments on those
- [Lars Leaps Into The Void](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/07/22/lars-leaps-into-the-void/) - Nothing in the way of a major update today. Haha! Fooled you! Ahem. This is a just a short post to highlight an exhibition of photographer Lars Stephan's work in New York City. Lars is a very pleasant chap who sat down to dinner with me for an interview last August, revealing all about his
- [Planes, Trains & Automobiles](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/07/01/planes-trains-automobiles/) - I've updated the upcoming travels page because in the absence of fresh interviews to put online, it's something, right? Within the next couple of months I'll be in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Connecticut (several locations) and more. I already have at least one interview set up for each location but always happy to do more. Get
- [California Dreaming](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/06/16/california-dreaming/) - Next month I'll be in Los Angeles for a holiday and I'm looking for people to interview out there. Please get in touch if you'd like to do a dinner with a stranger, my treat (unless you want to pay, which would be grand). Take a peek at the travel page to see where else
- [Back In The District](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/06/01/back-in-the-district/) - Ah, New Orleans. Last night I returned to DC from a brief holiday to the Big Easy and as always had a great time down there. Above is a picture I took on my iPhone sunning myself by the pool and recovering from too much enjoyment the night before. While in the Crescent City I
- [Goin' Back To New Orleans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/05/22/going-back-to-new-orleans/) - I'm heading to New Orleans for a holiday next week, so let me know if you live in the city and want to do a dinner interview. I've got one interview lined up so far in the Big Easy but always looking for new strangers to meet. Also, I updated my travel plans for the
- [Mother's Day Redux](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/05/09/mothers-day-redux/) - Ah, Americans, always late to the party. Mother's Day was two months ago in England. Nevertheless I'll appropriate the American version of the celebration to wish my mum a great day. But I got her a gift in March, so she better not think I'm springing for two presents. Anyway, expect the 18th dinner with
- [Divine Providence](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/04/30/divine-providence/) - That's a photo of me posing awkwardly with the city of Providence in the background. What a fine place Providence is. Last weekend was my first trip to Rhode Island, where I conducted four interviews for this site and enjoyed all of them. No disasters, no arguments, just good company, (mostly) good food and, uh,
- [Forget It Clyde's, It's Chinatown](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/03/31/forget-it-clydes-its-chinatown/) - So I've dropped the ball on new dinner interviews the last few months. Try to ignore that and instead focus on the fact there will be new articles up in late April. Good thing I'm not on salary for this site. Meantime, by way of a site update, let me tell you about a restaurant
- [Rhode Island Is Famous For...You?](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/03/02/rhode-island-is-famous-for-you/) - Next month I'll be in Providence, Rhode Island, for a weekend break. On the off chance you're browsing the Internet and a) stumble upon this site, 2) are from Providence and iii) want to do a dinner interview during the weekend of Friday April 23 to Sunday April 25, click here to book a dinner.
- [More Margarita](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/02/20/more-margarita/) - Margarita Pracatan, the Cuban singing sensation with a better grasp on joie de vivre than your average French person, remains one of my favorite strangers interviewed for this site. I first saw her back in the UK in the mid-1990s on a television show hosted by raconteur/author/critic/everyman Clive James, and now she's received a warm
- [Ben On The Mend](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/01/25/ben-on-the-mend/) - Time for some good news. Apparently Ralph Archbold, Philadelphia's most well-known Benjamin Franklin impersonator, is on the mend following his stroke last year. Regular readers of this site (hello mum and dad) will know that a little under a year ago I interviewed Ralph over dinner in the City of Brotherly Love. It was depressing
- [Delayed Festivities](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/01/08/delayed-festivities/) - Here's the third and final (mercifully, I'm sure) video of Margarita Pracatan and I attempting various festive songs. I know it's a little out of date. This time round we're singing "Feliz Navidad" with two key elements. First, we'd had quite a lot of wine by this point. Second, neither of us knew the words.
- [On The Road To Somewhere](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2010/01/06/on-the-road-to-somewhere/) - Hello again! Hope you had a good time over Christmas. Later this week I'll be uploading the rather belated third festive music video I recorded with Margarita Pracatan. In the meantime, a short update on my travel plans this year. I've updated the list of places I intend on visiting in 2010. Take a look
- [Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, etc.](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/12/23/merry-christmas-happy-new-year-etc/) - I'm heading home to England for Christmas and won't be updating this site until 2010. I know, you're devastated. But stop the sadness and dry your tears because I'm leaving you with a splendid festive gift. Here's the second of the three recent videos I recorded with Cuban singing sensation Margarita Pracatan -- it's our
- [In The Festive Spirit](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/12/08/in-the-festive-spirit/) - Back from another weekend in New York City and two fun interviews. More on the first of those two interviews later this week, but in the meantime enjoy this video that I made with Margarita Pracatan during last weekend's visit. Yes, I reunited with the Cuban singing sensation from my interview almost exactly a year
- [Philadelphia Freedom](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/11/29/philadelphia-freedom/) - I have zero reason for using that headline other than the fact I was recently in Philadelphia for a weekend visit and the Elton John song “Philadelphia Freedom” came to mind. Moving on swiftly, I didn't have any dinners with strangers in the City of Brotherly Love but I and two friends got to try
- [On The Road Again](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/11/03/on-the-road-again/) - Quick update with some new travel plans -- Philadelphia, Miami and New York City are all looking close to definite for visits in the coming weeks. If you live in one of the cities listed above and would like to try dinner with a stranger, click here to make a reservation.
- [A Streetcar Named Delay](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/10/12/a-streetcar-named-delay/) - So about that long-delayed New Orleans article...yeah, it's coming. Finally got my laptop back from its repairs so expect the latest write-up this weekend. While I'm on the topic of New Orleans, I have to recommend Mother's Restaurant, a fantastic place just outside of the French Quarter. They serve basic fare like sandwiches and salads,
- [Much Ado About Nothing](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/09/27/327/) - No news is good news, right? Let's go with that statement. My laptop is experiencing all manner of hilarious problems at the moment, so the next dinner write-up -- my second of two from New Orleans -- is on hold until I get the machine back from the repair shop. In the meantime, you really
- [Meal At Montmartre](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/09/20/meal-at-montmarte/) - The first of my two New Orleans articles is on the way, and should be up within the week. Meanwhile, I'd like to take a minute -- or really, type for a bit, because time is relative on the Internet, right? -- to tell you, dear reader, about a great restaurant in DC named Montmartre.
- [Back From The Big Easy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/09/02/back-from-the-big-easy/) - Like the post headline says, I just got back from New Orleans. A quite excellent time was had by all (myself and three friends). There is a lot to love about the city. Great food, the drinks flow steady and strong, the people are incredibly friendly and I feel very refreshed after my holiday. It
- [Pizza Pool](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/08/25/pizza-poll/) - Alliteration in the headline -- yeah! Just a quick update suggesting that any DC-based readers of these site may want to vote in the Washingtonian Magazine's pizza pool contest, aiming to pick the public's brains to find the best pizza spot in the District of Columbia. Well, all right, not literally pick the public's brains
- [Out Of The Loop](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/08/09/out-of-the-loop/) - It's so very warm in DC right now that I'd rather just nap, but I love all three of my visitors so much you can have an update. Earlier today I went to see In The Loop, a rather funny comedy about the not-so-amusing topic of politics. Afterward my friends and I went to Matchbox
- [Get Well Soon, Ben](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/07/28/get-well-soon-ben/) - Well, this stinks. Ralph Archbold, best known as Philadelphia's most prominent Benjamin Franklin impersonator, suffered a stroke last month and is still recovering. I met Ralph for dinner with a stranger earlier this year and found him to be amiable and with a seemingly endless supply of interesting stories. You can find out more about
- [An Appendix To My Plans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/07/20/an-appendix-to-my-plans/) - Hilarious update headline to go with the fact that a bout with appendicitis last week left me in surgery and having to cancel my planned trip to England. But rest assured now that the evil appendix has been removed from my body, I'm on the road to recovery and will be having more dinners with
- [Eating At Eatonville](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/07/07/eating-at-eatonville/) - In case you were wondering, I'm hoping to have another dinner -- this time with video! -- written up before I head back to England for a brief holiday next week. If you weren't wondering, then I think you're terribly rude. Meanwhile, some friends and I went for dinner at new Washington, DC, restaurant Eatonville.
- [Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/06/11/laissez-les-bons-temps-rouler/) - Hello, you! Long time no see. How have you been? Good? Good. What have I been up to recently? How nice of you to ask. Well, I recently had dinner at Potenza in Washington, DC. It's a huge place with an on-site bakery, a good range of Italian dishes on the menu, some nice wine
- [Taverna Time!](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/05/23/taverna-time/) - Recently I went with a large group of friends to one of my favorite restaurants, Taverna Cretekou in Old Town, Alexandria. Highly recommended, especially on a Thursday night when they have live music and dancing. The food is consistently excellent, the house wine is surprisingly tasty (and cheap, bonus) and the waiters are effortlessly entertaining.
- [More From Margarita](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/05/14/more-from-margarita/) - In New York last weekend, I was able to reunite with Margarita Pracatan -- a previous Dining With Strangers interviewee -- and she was kind enough to record this video: To find out more about this Cuban singing sensation, read my dinner interview with her from December, including videos of the two of us singing
- [Back In The New York Groove](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/05/11/142/) - Back from a brief weekend visit to New York City and two new dinners with strangers. All right, I'm not being entirely truthful because one of them was a brunch. More on the interviews in a later update. While in Manhattan I also got to meet up again with a certain stranger who was featured
- [Tabard Inn Impressions](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/04/21/tabard-inn-impressions/) - Saturday night I had dinner at Washington DC's Tabard Inn to celebrate a friend's birthday. The lounge where we had pre-dinner drinks was about 100 degrees too warm and looked like a ski lodge, and their version of a rum runner was strong but, while I love strong drinks, it wasn't exactly tasty. Thankfully the
- [[Insert Witty "Go Bananas" Headline Here]](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/04/16/insert-witty-go-bananas-headline-here/) - I'm writing up the sixth dinner with a stranger but as you've probably noticed by now the articles are somewhat long so it may be a few more days before this rather clownish piece is done. Meantime, to get more updates on this site I'm going to use this spot to also talk about restaurants
- [My, What Big Shoes You Have](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/03/30/my-what-big-shoes-you-have/) - Back from a visit to Los Angeles and another dinner with a stranger. Here's a photo hint about the person I broke bread with in that sunny city: I also recently had my inaugural Washington, DC, dinner with a stranger -- with a very affable man -- and that article will be up within the
- [Stuff And Nonsense](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/03/14/stuff-and-nonsense/) - A site tweak today -- you get a fancy (okay, not so fancy) link to the left to bring you back to the home page whenever you want. In other news, I'm happy to report that this site looks rather fine and dandy on an iPhone. Observe: Hooray for modern technology!
- [Another Month, Another Update](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/03/01/another-month-another-update/) - In the interest of updating this site more than once every month, here's a picture from my most recent dinner with a stranger: I realize it doesn't make a great deal of sense, but the article -- hopefully up within the week -- should explain everything.
- [It's Off To Work I Go](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/02/04/its-off-to-work-i-go/) - This website is updated pretty often, right? Just kidding! Work and other activities temporarily prevented more dinners with strangers but I hope to do a couple more this month, including one in Philadelphia that I'm pretty excited about if I can make it happen. Drop me a line if you're in the City of Brotherly
- [I Only Know The First Verse Of "Auld Lang Syne"](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2009/01/13/i-only-know-the-first-verse-of-auld-lang-syne/) - Belated Happy New Year! Hmm. Should New Year be capitalized? Or not? Does anyone care? No? Good! Then moving on swiftly, let me offer you a ready-made resolution for 2009: to have dinner with a stranger. How can you achieve this? Easy! Click right here to make a dinner reservation. A friendly note: you need
- [See You Next Year](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2008/12/21/see-you-next-year/) - Just like that, the year is almost over. I won't be updating this site until 2009, which would seem a whole lot lazier were I writing this in the summer or earlier. Until then, keep an eye on the upcoming travels page -- which I might update earlier than January if some journeys I'm planning
- [The Big Apple Bit Me](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2008/12/14/56/) - Last weekend in New York City, I took part in the third dinner with a stranger. I'll keep it under wraps until the write-up is complete, but do check back because the next article will be complete with videos of me trying to sing. Right. Meanwhile, you should check out the website of actor Jim
- [Back From La-La Land](https://diningwithstrangers.com/2008/12/01/back-from-la-la-land/) - I really hate the nickname "La-La Land" for Los Angeles. Regardless, I just returned from a visit to that fine city and have another dinner with a stranger complete. This time, it's an actual stranger rather than a friend I roped in to help start this site's articles. I won't say more until I get

## Pages

- [#146 Mr. 8 That](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/146-mr-8-that/) - A math teacher’s formula for food and community
- [The Dinner Interviews](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/) - Dining with strangers to learn about their life stories
- [#145 Pete Gardner's Day Off](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/145-pete-gardner/) - Lunch with an actor who took the long way to Hollywood and loved every detour
- [#144 Tom Marolda Writes Those Hits](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/144-tom-marolda/) - Meeting the musician, songwriter and producer behind decades of top tunes
- [Upcoming Travels](https://diningwithstrangers.com/upcoming-travels/) - Dining With Strangers is based in Washington, D.C., but I travel fairly often and am keen to hear from potential diners in other places, whether in the United States or elsewhere in the world. Here are my travel plans for 2026 -- get in touch if I'll be in your area and you'd like to
- [About The Site](https://diningwithstrangers.com/about-the-site/) - Learn about Dining With Strangers -- taking people to meals to hear their life stories. Includes press coverage and details on how to take part
- [#143 Christine Hamilton Pulls Herself Together](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/143-christine-hamilton-pulls-herself-together/) - From political scandal to I'm a Celebrity to "happily retired old bag"
- [#142 Nobody Puts Sheshe In The Corner](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/142-nobody-puts-sheshe-in-the-corner/) - A self-taught singer charts her own path in the theater and subway
- [#141 Greener Grass](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/141-greener-grass/) - Creating a YouTube hit about globetrotting adventures
- [#107 Erick Lopez Explains](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/108-erick-lopez-explains/) - A young actor shares his experiences breaking into the industry
- [#100 Brigtsen's](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/101-brigtsens/) - Dinner with a Creole chef discussing the menu at his long-running restaurant
- [#106 Dino's Grotto](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/107-dinos-grotto/) - Dinner with Dean Gold, owner of an Italian-inspired restaurant
- [#105 Storytelling Through Food](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/106-storytelling-through-food/) - Jamila Robinson discusses the future of food and dining storytelling
- [#140 Cookin' With Congress](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/140-cookin-with-congress/) - How a TikTok series on politicians’ favorite foods blends history with humor
- [#104 Uncorking André Hueston Mack](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/105-uncorking-andre-hueston-mack/) - Supper with a sommelier/winemaker/designer
- [#139 Robert Factor Is Ready For His Closeup](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/139-robert-factor-is-ready-for-his-closeup/) - A cult film star and theater veteran on a life chasing roles, stories and surprises
- [#138 Live From Capitol Hill: It’s Manu Raju](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/138-live-from-capitol-hill-its-manu-raju/) - CNN’s chief congressional correspondent on politics, pressure, and perseverance
- [#130 Reinventing Soul Food](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/131-reinventing-soul-food/) - Atlanta Chef Deborah VanTrece talks about her quest to reinvent soul food
- [#137 How Brian Acosta Arya Found His Motel Heaven](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/137-how-brian-acosta-arya-found-his-motel-heaven/) - A motel manager on TikTok fame, failure and success, and the importance of storytelling
- [#101 Rabbis And Llamas And Foreheads, Oh My!](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/102-rabbis-and-llamas-and-foreheads-oh-my/) - Dinner with portrait painter Jonathan Blum
- [#136 Dew The Artist](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/136-dew-the-artist/) - An artist describes the evolution of his work focusing on the human experience
- [#134 No Raine, No Gain](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/134-no-raine-no-gain/) - Former college basketball player Raine Storm McKeython shares the story of launching his personal training brand
- [#133 Joe Himali Knows The Best Address](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/133-joe-himali-knows-the-best-address/) - DC real estate agent Joe Himali talks about finding fame on TikTok by sharing local architecture secrets
- [#73 Dating In The District](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/73-dating-in-dc/) - DC resident Craig Schattner talks about his video series on the difficulties of dating in the District.
- [#90 An Evening With Eleanor Clift](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/91-an-evening-with-eleanor-clift/) - Famed liberal Washington correspondent Eleanor Clift shares stories of reporting and more during a dinner interview.
- [#53 Born To Run](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/53-born-to-run/) - WASHINGTON, DC February 19, 2014 STRANGER: Matt Abbruzzese LOCATION: Fainting Goat, 1330 U Street NW, Washington, D.C. THEME: Dining with a candidate for an Advisory Neighborhood Commission I don't know if Matt Abbruzzese ever stops campaigning. The energetic 26-year-old is running later this year for a slot on an Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) in Washington,
- [#135 Saturday Night Luv](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/135-saturday-night-luv/) - New York lounge singer Dani Luv talks about decades of performing at Sammy's Roumanian
- [#132 Naomi Paxton's Many Hats](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/132-naomi-paxtons-many-hats/) - LONDONJanuary 18, 2025 STRANGER: Naomi PaxtonLOCATION: Dulce Coffee & Kitchen, 86 Whitechapel High Street, London, EnglandTHEME: Brunch with an academic, magician and performer who's always on the move Naomi Paxton wears many hats. The most obvious are the literal hats — the colorful ones, often twice the size of her face, that she wears when
- [#131 A (Brief) History Of The World In 47 Borders](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/131-a-brief-history-of-the-world-in-47-borders/) - Author Jonn Elledge meets for a dinner interview to discuss his new book telling the history of the world through its borders
- [#91 Arts & Advocacy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/92-arts-advocacy/) - Dinner with artist and youth advocate JR "Nexus" Russ, explaining how he's bringing both worlds together
- [#116 Jane Lynch & Kate Flannery <P>Are Two Lost Souls](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/117-jane-lynch-kate-flannery-are-two-lost-souls/) - Two iconic comedic actresses talk about teaming up for musical revues
- [Book A Dinner](https://diningwithstrangers.com/book-a-dinner/) - Interested in dinner with a stranger (namely me)? Fill out the form below! Let me know briefly about your interesting story, idea, cause, product, whatever, and why you want to go to dinner with a stranger. I'll be back in touch as soon as possible. I'm based in Washington, D.C., but travel fairly often, so
- [#98 Meet The Fontanas](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/99-meet-the-fontanas/) - Lunch with actors Santino and Jessica Fontana in New York to talk about their careers on stage and screen
- [#97 Obergefell v. Inequality](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/98-obergefell-v-inequality/) - Breakfast with gay marriage advocate Jim Obergefell to talk his landmark Supreme Court case and his new, broader quest for equality
- [#96 Out To Sea With Matt Yee](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/97-out-to-sea-with-matt-yee/) - A dinner interview at sea with drag cabaret entertainer Matt Yee
- [#95 Racism: <P>America's Past, Present & Future Problem](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/96-racism-americas-past-present-future-problem/) - Dining with writer, educator and scholar W. Ralph Eubanks to discuss racism in America
- [#94 Going, Going, Gone To Dinner](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/95-going-going-gone-to-dinner/) - Meeting an accountant who placed the winning bid on a silent auction to get dinner with me
- [#93 Life Behind The Lens](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/94-life-behind-the-lens/) - Dinner with award-winning LA-based cinematographer Brad Rushing, talking about his life behind the lens
- [#92 Senator Larry Pressler <P>And The Quest To Save Democracy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/93-senator-larry-pressler-and-the-quest-to-save-democracy/) - Dinner with former U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler (R-SD) talking about his one-man quest to save democracy and inspire a new generation of civil service
- [#89 The State Senator](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/90-the-state-senator/) - Supper with Democratic Maryland state Senator Cheryl Kagan, talking about her life in politics.
- [#88 On The Road Again](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/89-on-the-road-again/) - A lunch interview in Nashville with a couple who spend at least half of every year traveling the United States in their motor home
- [#87 Everybody Comes To Nellie's](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/88-everybody-comes-to-nellies/) - Dining with Doug Schantz, who achieved his dream of opening gay sports bar Nellie's in Washington, DC.
- [#86 The Future King Of Comedy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/87-the-future-king-of-comedy/) - A dinner interview with Victor Pope Jr. about finding fame with comedy skits on Vine and his goal of being one of the greatest standup comedians ever.
- [#85 Black September](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/86-black-september/) - Dinner with an Air Force veteran to discuss 1970's "Black September" military crisis in Jordan, and much more.
- [#84 Tales From The Town Crier](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/85-tales-from-the-town-crier/) - Learning about the life of award-winning British town crier Michael Wood.
- [#83 Cycling Through America](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/84-cycling-through-america/) - Ines Verbeke, born in the States but raised in Belgium, talks about her plan to cycle across America.
- [#82 The Swiss Ambassador](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/83-the-swiss-ambassador/) - Meeting Swiss Ambassador to the United States Martin Dahinden at his residence for a dinner interview.
- [#81 Night Of The DC Dead](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/82-night-of-the-dc-dead/) - A dinner interview with the co-creator of DC Dead, an interactive Halloween zombie event in Washington, DC.
- [#62 How To Get To Sesame Street](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/62-how-to-get-to-sesame-street/) - Lunch with the Jim Henson Creature Shop's production manager Melissa Creighton, featuring a tour of the workshop that makes the Sesame Street puppets.
- [#39 Forever Young](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/39-forever-young/) - Actor Burt Young (Paulie from the Rocky movies) talks about his love of acting and painting during a lengthy interview near his home in Port Washington, New York.
- [#129 Adrian's Creative Queer World](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/130-adrians-creative-queer-world/) - Content creator Adrian aims to build a safe online space for queer people
- [#128 Writing Her Own Story](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/129-writing-her-own-story/) - Erotic fiction author and LGBTQ advocate Monika Pickett shares her story
- [#127 Charles Cecil's<P> Revolutionary Adventures](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/128-charles-cecils-revolutionary-adventures/) - Revolution Games co-founder Charles Cecil talks the history of adventure games
- [#126 The House Of Pendarvis](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/127-the-house-of-pendarvis/) - Dinner with a District activist, mentor, emcee and variety show host
- [#125 FishScale](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/126-fishscale/) - Meeting siblings who launched a restaurant specializing in high quality fish burgers
- [#124 Sampson McCormick Is Living On His Terms](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/125-sampson-mccormick-is-living-on-his-terms/) - An activist gay black comedian talks about his career
- [#123 Coming Out Of The NFL](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/124-coming-out-of-the-nfl/) - Former NFL player Ryan O'Callaghan shares his coming out story
- [#122 Play It Again, Jesse](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/123-play-it-again-jesse/) - Meeting the resident pianist at a popular DC piano bar
- [#121 The Dual Lifestyles Of DeAngelo Jackson](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/122-the-dual-lifestyles-of-deangelo-jackson/) - An adult model talks about changes and challenges in the gay porn industry
- [#120 Central Intelligence Aki](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/121-central-intelligence-aki/) - A lunchtime conversation with a former CIA analyst
- [#114 Keeping The Kitchen Open For 30 Years](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/115-keeping-the-kitchen-open-for-30-years/) - Breakfast with DC Central Kitchen’s CEO Mike Curtin
- [#119 Puddin'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/120-puddin/) - Chatting with comfort food Chef Toyin Alli
- [#118 Mikko](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/119-mikko/) - Learning about Nordic food at a former embassy chef’s restaurant
- [#117 Tired Old Queen At The Movies](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/118-tired-old-queen-at-the-movies/) - Chatting with the host of a YouTube series about classic movies
- [#115 Weekday With Bernie](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/116-weekday-with-bernie/) - Coffee with legendary British comedian and singer Bernie Clifton
- [#113 Medium Rare](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/114-medium-rare/) - A restaurateur turns steak frites simplicity into success
- [#112 Getting The Last Laugh](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/113-getting-the-last-laugh/) - Chatting with standup comedian, writer and actor Alex English
- [#111 Dining Out With Donna Lynne -- Part II](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/112-dining-out-with-donna-lynne-part-ii/) - Lunch with a leading Broadway and television actress
- [#111 Dining Out With Donna Lynne -- Part I](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/112-dining-with-donna-lynne-part-i/) - Lunch with a leading Broadway and television actress
- [#110 Freaky Boiz](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/111-freaky-boiz/) - A gay rap duo discusses making their mark on the music industry
- [#109 Demetrius Harmon Wants You To Be Happy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/110-demetrius-harmon-wants-you-to-be-happy/) - An internet personality talks about finding fame online
- [#108 Parkway For Poor Boys](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/109-parkway-for-poor-boys/) - Learning about the classic New Orleans poor boy sandwich
- [#99 Changing Cuba](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/100-changing-cuba/) - A Cuban emigrant talks about the country’s past, present and future
- [#102 Kurt Fuller Is 'That Guy'](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/103-kurt-fuller-is-that-guy/) - Dinner with a well-known character actor
- [#103 The Evolution Of Environmental Justice](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/104-the-evolution-of-environmental-justice/) - Mustafa Santiago Ali talks about the Hip Hop Caucus and environmental justice
- [#76 A Serious Actor -- Part II](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/76-a-serious-actor-part-ii/) - Part two of a two-part dinner interview with actor Fred Melamed (A Serious Man, House of Lies, In A World).
- [#76 A Serious Actor -- Part I](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/76-a-serious-actor-part-i/) - Part one of a two-part dinner interview with actor Fred Melamed (A Serious Man, House of Lies, In A World).
- [#40 Fighting Against Hunger](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/40-fighting-against-hunger/) - WASHINGTON, DC December 10, 2011 STRANGER: Shamia Holloway LOCATION: Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Lunch with a food bank communications manager For Shamia Holloway, one of the most important things she wants people to know about Washington, DC, is that widespread hunger doesn't just affect the homeless. “People don't think
- [#80 After The Storm -- Part II](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/80-after-the-storm-part-ii/) - Part two of a two-part interview catching up with three New Orleans residents' lives 10 years after Hurricane Katrina.
- [#80 After The Storm -- Part I](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/80-after-the-storm-part-i/) - Three long-time New Orleans residents share their thoughts on the good, bad, and the rest about the city 10 years after Hurricane Katrina.
- [#79 Young At Heart](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/79-young-at-heart/) - WASHINGTON, DC AUGUST 31, 2015 STRANGER: Barbara Crocker LOCATION: Le Diplomate, 1601 14th Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Finding out how one woman stays young at heart Barbara Crocker is the American who went up a hill and came down a mountain. The vivacious 62-year-old makes sure she's constantly on the move, and there's no
- [#33 We Dance To The Beat](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/33-we-dance-to-the-beat/) - NEW YORK CITY July 16, 2011 STRANGER: Julia Kulakova LOCATION: Josie's West, 300 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City THEME: Dinner with a dancer My dance moves are as graceful as Mr. Bean's efforts. That's a line I often use at nightclubs to explain my reluctance to dance. It's also a line I use to prolong
- [#77 From Pennsylvania To Public Relations](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/77-from-pennsylvania-to-public-relations/) - WASHINGTON,DC JUNE 25, 2015 STRANGER: Jenny Wang LOCATION: Marrakech, 2147 P Street NW Washington, DC THEME: Dinner with a public relations executive Jenny Wang's life has taken her from birth in China to childhood in rural Pennsylvania and now living in Washington, DC, with a busy career as a public relations executive – but she's
- [#31 Keeping The Faith](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/31-keeping-the-faith/) - WASHINGTON, DC May 15, 2011 STRANGER: Patrick Walker LOCATION: Acqua Al 2, 212 7th Street SE, Washington, DC THEME: Dinner with a pastor They say never talk politics or religion with a stranger. I have no idea who “they” might be, so I chose to ignore that anonymous advice as I sat down to Sunday
- [#74 Scenes From An Italian Restaurant](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/74-scenes-from-an-italian-restaurant/) - Milan resident and Beatles tribute band member Federico Leidi talks about his life in Italy during a dinner at a pizzeria.
- [#75 The Musso & Frank Grill](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/75-the-musso-frank-grill/) - Mark Echeverria, proprietor of the landmark Hollywood restaurant Musso & Frank Grill, explains how he became a restaurateur.
- [#72 In Christy's Shoes](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/72-in-christys-shoes/) - Jacki Barnett explains the origins of the fashionable fundraising organization In Christy's Shoes
- [#71 The House Of Black And White](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/71-the-house-of-black-and-white/) - Anesthesiologist David Sherer discusses his plans for retirement, including his budding writing career.
- [#23 Winston Unzipped](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/23-winston-unzipped/) - CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA July 20, 2010 STRANGER: Winston Gieseke LOCATION: Dear John's, 11208 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, California THEME: Supper with a singer/gay porn site editor Caution: This interview contains explicit sexual language There are three things that happened in July 2010 that only occurred because I met Winston Gieseke for a dinner interview: 1)
- [#67 Brobson's Big Easy](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/67-brobsons-big-easy/) - Dinner in New Orleans with long-time French Quarter resident and medical professional Dr. Brobson Lutz.
- [#69 The Bee Lady](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/69-the-bee-lady/) - A lunch interview with Jean Bishop of Hull, UK, who has raised thousands of pounds for Age UK in her bumblebee costume.
- [#68 The Part-Time Pursuit Of Happiness](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/68-the-part-time-pursuit-of-happiness/) - WASHINGTON, DC NOVEMBER 28, 2014 STRANGER: Caecilia Key LOCATION: The Carolina Kitchen, 2350 Washington Place NE, Washington, DC THEME: A single mother shares her hopes for the future Single mother Caecilia Kay has faced several struggles in her life, from being one of only a handful of black girls at a mostly white Catholic high
- [#16 Teresa's Toys](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/16-teresas-toys/) - NEW YORK CITY December 6, 2009 STRANGER: Teresa Suarez LOCATION: Alice’s Tea Cup, 156 East 64th Street, New York City THEME: Tea and sex toys Caution: This interview contains explicit sexual language When I met Teresa Suarez on a crisp Sunday during December in Manhattan, my first impression of her didn’t include visions of Teresa
- [#64 All About Omnism](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/64-omnism/) - A dinner interview with a couple in Santa Fe, NM, whose experiments with the drug DMT opened their mind to omnism, the belief in all religions.
- [#63 Working For Veterans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/63-working-for-veterans/) - Former Air Force officer Marlene Hall talks about her ongoing work for veterans' organizations during a dinner interview in Old Town, Alexandria.
- [#65 Meeting Michael Hitchcock](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/65-meeting-michael-hitchcock/) - Lunch in Los Angeles, interviewing Michael Hitchcock (Glee, Best In Show, Bridesmaids) about his life and career as a character actor, writer and improv comedian.
- [#12 That Voodoo That You Do So Well](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/12-that-voodoo-that-you-do-so-well/) - NEW ORLEANS August 28, 2009 STRANGER: Jerry Gandolfo LOCATION: The Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal Street, New Orleans THEME: Curious about a curator Sometimes the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina show themselves in New Orleans in small ways you might not otherwise notice. At the famous Court Of Two Sisters restaurant, before the 2005
- [#61 Matt Of All Trades](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/61-matt-of-all-trades/) - NEW YORK CITY July 21, 2014 STRANGER: Matt Bauman LOCATION: Locanda Verde, 377 Greenwich Street, New York City THEME: Dinner with an actor/realtor/coaching website owner Matt Bauman always knew he wanted to be an actor. But he never expected to be a real estate broker. Nor did he anticipate creating a website, CoachMeNYC, to connect
- [#59 The Classical Cellist](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/59-the-classical-cellist/) - A lunch interview in New Orleans with Daniel Lelchuk, assistant principal cello for the city's Philharmonic Orchestra.
- [#60 Behind The Craft](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/60-behind-the-craft/) - WASHINGTON, DC June 30, 2014 STRANGER: Brendan Kelleher LOCATION: Pizzeria Paradiso, 2003 P Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Dining with a beer brewing enthusiast Brendan Kelleher loves to talk about brewing beer. He'll strike up a conversation with anyone about it, and his love for the beverage is what led him to launch Behind The
- [#58 There's Something About Mary -- Part II](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/58-theres-something-about-mary-part-ii/) - METAIRIE, LOUISIANA May 24, 2014 STRANGER: Mary Burns LOCATION: Deanie's Seafood, 1713 Lake Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana THEME: An afternoon with a former teacher/zydeco dancer Click here for part one of this interview “I was suicidal,” said Mary Burns, shaking her head slowly. She warned me that the story she was telling would be brutal. When
- [#58 There's Something About Mary -- Part I](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/58-theres-something-about-mary-part-i/) - Part one of a two-part feature on my afternoon with a New Orleans zydeco dance teacher
- [#56 A Perfect Fit](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/56-a-perfect-fit/) - WASHINGTON, DC May 6, 2014 STRANGER: Edwin Schiff LOCATION: Tash, 524 8th Street SE, Washington, DC THEME: Chatting with a costume technician When people ask Edwin Schiff what he does for work, the conversation typically follows the same pattern: Person: “What do you do?” Edwin: “I'm in theater.” Person: “So you're an actor?” Edwin: “No,
- [#57 Amplified Louisa](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/57-amplified-louisa/) - Musical dinner interview with Louisa Hall, a ukulele-playing singer-songwriter based in Washington, DC
- [#55 Yes Woman](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/55-yes-woman/) - WASHINGTON, DC April 1, 2014 STRANGER: Elizabeth Moore LOCATION: Pesce, 2002 P Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Dinner with a woman who says “yes” to everything It's possible Elizabeth Moore likes meeting strangers even more than I do. It took only five minutes after she sat down to dinner with me before she was on
- [#66 Stephen Tobolowsky's <P>Adventures -- Part I](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/66-stephen-tobolowskys-adventures-part-i/) - A breakfast interview in Los Angeles with actor Stephen Tobolowsky, best known as Ned Ryerson from Groundhog Day
- [#66 Stephen Tobolowsky's <P>Adventures -- Part II](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/66-stephen-tobolowskys-adventures-part-ii/) - Actor Stephen Tobolowsky discusses his love of storytelling through writing, during breakfast in Los Angeles.
- [#54 Special Agent Galactica](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/54-special-agent-galactica/) - WASHINGTON, DC March 6, 2014 STRANGER: Jeffrey Johnson LOCATION: Ted's Bulletin, 505 8th Street SE, Washington, DC THEME: A local actor describes his unique one-man show Jeffrey Johnson came alone to dinner. The softly-spoken and easygoing actor, who lives in Washington, DC, left his alter-ago Special Agent Galactica at home. So over an evening meal
- [#2 Funny Man, Funny Man-Date](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/2-funny-man-funny-man-date/) - Interviewing actor Jim Piddock (Best In Show) over dinner in Sherman Oaks, CA.
- [#52 The Jazz Man](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/52-the-jazz-man/) - WASHINGTON, DC January 30, 2014 STRANGER: Aaron L. Myers II LOCATION: The Mediterranean Spot, 1501 U Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Dinner with a jazz musician That's the first time I've been serenaded at dinner. When I entered the Mediterranean Spot in Washington, DC, the only jazz I heard was the restaurant's sound system playing
- [#51 Making It Big In The Movies](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/51-making-it-big-in-the-movies/) - Actor Richard Kiel (Jaws from the Roger Moore 007 movies) talks about his life and career during a dinner interview in Washington, DC, in 2013.
- [#49 Hungry Town](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/49-hungry-town/) - Dinner in New Orleans with Tom Fitzmorris, a local restaurant critic, writer of the NOMenu.com website and host of The Food Show on the city's WWL radio.
- [#70 Empire Of Sin](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/70-empire-of-sin/) - Writer Gary Krist talks about his book Empire of Sin, covering the battle for modern New Orleans.
- [#50 Storyville](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/50-storyville/) - NEW ORLEANS August 30, 2013 STRANGERS: Josh & Natalie Harvey LOCATION: Coquette, 2800 Magazine Street, New Orleans THEME: Lunch with owners of a t-shirt company I am not a dedicated follower of fashion. My wardrobe consists of years-old clothes, mostly hand-me-downs from my brothers. The one unique aspect of my inventory is t-shirts. I have
- [#48 Life And O'Death](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/48-life-and-odeath/) - Brunch in Brookyln interviewing goth country musician David Rogers-Berry of the band O'Death
- [#47 Mistress Of Melody](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/47-mistress-of-melody/) - LONDON January 2, 2013 STRANGER: Lorraine Bowen LOCATION: Searcys St. Pancras Grand, Euston Road, London, England THEME: Dinner with an English singer, songwriter and musician Everybody's good at doing something, and Lorraine Bowen's good at entertaining. The English singer and songwriter has for the last few decades made a career out of songs that are
- [#46 La Gitana](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/46-la-gitana/) - A breakfast interview in New York City with visual artist Katelan Foisy, known as the Mistress of Magic, La Gitana
- [#42 Parties, Playtime And Public Relations](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/42-parties-playtime-and-public-relations/) - WASHINGTON, DC February 4, 2012 STRANGER: Rozanne Weissman LOCATION: Bangkok Joe's, 3000 K Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Dinner with a marketing communications executive When I sat down for a meal with Rozanne Weissman, she saw me take a tape recorder out of my jacket and lay it on the table near her, the “on”
- [#43 Drawn Together](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/43-drawn-together/) - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND April 28, 2012 STRANGER: Ben Claassen III LOCATION: Golden West Cafe, 1105 West 36th Street, Baltimore, Maryland THEME: Chatting with a cartoonist It's not the first time someone's turned me into a cartoon. The first time was at a friend's work party in Washington, DC several years ago. It had a distinctly boardwalk
- [#44 Talking With A Tutor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/44-talking-with-a-tutor/) - WASHINGTON, DC May 17, 2012 STRANGER: Kay Cameron LOCATION: Kramerbooks, 1517 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC THEME: Dinner with an English literacy tutor Kay Cameron didn't want to meet me. “I thought, 'Oh god, that just sounds horrible,'” she said when recounting the first time she read a forwarded email I'd sent asking for an
- [#45 Working Hard For The Money](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/45-working-hard-for-the-money/) - WASHINGTON, DC JULY 29, 2012 STRANGER: Antonio Biaggi LOCATION: Beacon Bar & Grill, 1615 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC THEME: Brunch with an out gay porn star Caution: This interview contains explicit sexual language Some people work 9 to 5 in an office. Some people do manual labor under grueling conditions. Some are desperately
- [#41 Here Comes Santa Claus](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/41-here-comes-santa-claus/) - SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND December 15, 2011 STRANGER: Ed Downey LOCATION: Red Lobster, 8533 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland THEME: A mid-December dinner with Santa Claus Christmas brings with it some memorable images. A tree festooned with baubles and tinsel, neatly-wrapped parcels sitting underneath. Stockings hanging from a fireplace. Cuban singing curiosity Margarita Pracatan and I
- [#38 Meeting The Mayor](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/38-meeting-the-mayor/) - Coffee and cupcakes with former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, in which he reminisces about his past service and more recent law firm work.
- [#36 Celebrating Charleston](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/36-celebrating-charleston/) - A lunch interview with Caroline Nuttall about her launch of Charlie, a magazine celebrating progressive culture in Charleston, South Carolina
- [#37 The Doctor Is In](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/37-the-doctor-is-in/) - ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND September 29, 2011 STRANGER: Andrea Bonior LOCATION: La Canela, 144 Gibbs Street, Rockville, Maryland THEME: Dinner with a clinical psychologist “No need to be concerned.” Those were psychologist Dr. Andrea Bonior's reassuring words as I asked whether she was using our dinner together to analyze me. Although I'm a naturally flawless human being
- [#35 Jason Ryan's Jackpot](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/35-jason-ryans-jackpot/) - Writer Jason Ryan explains how he came up with the idea for his non-fiction book “Jackpot,” detailing the history of marijuana smuggling in the South.
- [#34 Florida's Funambulist](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/34-floridas-funambulist/) - A lunch interview in Key West, Florida, with entertainer and funambulist (tightrope walker) Will Soto
- [#32 Viva Las Vegans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/32-viva-las-vegans/) - WASHINGTON, DC June 30, 2011 STRANGER: Katelyn Sornik LOCATION: Founding Farmers, 1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC THEME: A meal with a vegan food blogger I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian. A quick glance over the interviews on this site reveals the fact I eat meat at practically every meal. Oh, I have vegetarian
- [#29 An Audience With The Lincolns](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/29-an-audience-with-the-lincolns/) - WASHINGTON, DC February 11, 2011 STRANGERS: Michael Krebs & Debra Ann Miller LOCATION: Phillips Seafood, 900 Water Street SW, Washington, DC THEME: An evening with Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln impersonators Four score and seven days ago I had dinner with Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln. All right, there are several lies embedded in that
- [#28 A Voice For Radio](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/28-a-voice-for-radio/) - LONDON January 13, 2011 STRANGER: Zeb Soanes LOCATION: Andrew Edmunds, 46 Lexington Street, London, England THEME: Dinner with a BBC radio presenter Zeb Soanes has a voice for radio. A charming, calm, and rich British voice, which is perfect given that his job is a newsreader on BBC Radio 4. He also presents television programs
- [#27 British Ink](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/27-british-ink/) - WASHINGTON, DC December 2, 2010 STRANGER: Paul Roe LOCATION: Montmartre, 327 17th Street SE, Washington, DC THEME: Talking about tattoos Perhaps it was the fact I was having dinner with a tattoo artist, or perhaps it was the fact that I had some Frank Sinatra songs on shuffle on my iPhone that night, but I
- [#30 March Of The Bucket Brigade](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/30-march-of-the-bucket-brigade/) - NEW ORLEANS April 16, 2011 STRANGER: Anne Rolfes LOCATION: Lüke, 333 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans THEME: Eating with an environmentalist Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans? I do. I love the city and for the past three years my friends and I have had a long weekend in the Crescent
- [#26 The Write Stuff](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/26-the-write-stuff/) - NEW YORK CITY November 21, 2010 STRANGER: Kyle Michel Sullivan LOCATION: Heartland Brewery, 350 5th Avenue, New York City THEME: Words with a writer “This is going to sound somewhat psychotic.” Probably not the best combination of words you want to hear roll off the tongue of a stranger. But somehow Kyle Michel Sullivan was
- [#25 Weaver Ward One](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/25-weaver-ward-one/) - WASHINGTON, DC October 5, 2010 STRANGER: Bryan Weaver LOCATION: Marvin, 2007 14th Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Talking politics in the nation's capital city All politics is local, so the saying goes. It's an idea that Bryan Weaver appears to believe, serving for years as a neighborhood commissioner in Washington, DC. He also founded and
- [#24 Food For Thought](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/24-food-for-thought/) - PHILADELPHIA July 24, 2010 STRANGER: Albert Yee LOCATION: Garces Trading Company, 1111 Locust Street, Philadelphia THEME: Brunch with a restaurant critic blogger/photographer I got there early. Usually my incompetent timekeeping results in me arriving late to dinner interviews with strangers. But thanks to an on-time train from Washington to Philadelphia, I arrived in plenty of
- [#22 Gay For Pay](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/22-gay-for-pay/) - Lunch interview with gay for pay porn star Malachi Marx talking about how a straight man makes it in the gay porn industry
- [#21 Bloody Mary](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/21-bloody-mary/) - NEW ORLEANS May 27, 2010 STRANGER: Mary Millan LOCATION: Muriel’s, 801 Chartres Street, New Orleans THEME: Dinner with a voodoo priestess We had company. Mary Millan and I met for dinner inside Muriel’s, a labyrinth of a restaurant just off Jackson Square in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter. I was prepared to interview
- [#20 A Natural Voyeur](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/20-a-natural-voyeur/) - PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND April 25, 2010 STRANGER: Amy Messere LOCATION: Caffe Dolce Vita, 59 De Pasquale Square, Providence, Rhode Island THEME: Brunch with a strip club waitress/photographer “When you've seen women catching dollars in their assholes, it really makes you think twice when you're handed cash,” said strip club waitress Amy Messere. For the past
- [#19 Living In Rhode Island](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/19-living-in-rhode-island/) - PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND April 24, 2010 STRANGER: Bob Black LOCATION: Andreas, 268 Thayer Street, Providence, Rhode Island THEME: Dinner with a realtor/blogger Bob Black has a lot to say. It helps explain why the busy realtor has three blogs. It also explains why he proved to be good dinner company, because his ability to touch
- [#18 The Many Lives Of Mary Ann](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/18-the-many-lives-of-mary-ann/) - PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND April 24, 2010 STRANGER: Mary Ann Sorrentino LOCATION: Mediterraneo, 134 Atwells Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island THEME: Lunch with an abortion rights advocate If I could share everything I wanted to about Mary Ann Sorrentino, this entry would have to be made in installments. She has a rich history as (in order) a
- [#17 Artist By Design](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/17-artist-by-design/) - PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND April 23, 2010 STRANGER: Robin Tafel LOCATION: Camille's, 71 Bradford Street, Providence, Rhode Island THEME: Dinner with a design student Where am I going? That thought kept recurring on a Friday night in Providence ahead of my dinner date with stranger Robin Tafel. I didn’t know much about her, not even what
- [#15 They Call Him Mister Fry](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/15-they-call-him-mister-fry/) - NEW YORK CITY December 5, 2009 STRANGER: Jack Freiberger LOCATION: Tony's DiNapoli, 1606 2nd Avenue, New York City THEME: Talking with a teacher/actor This interview was a bit unusual. Sure, there's always something awkward and not quite ordinary about meeting a total stranger for dinner and then picking their brains about their entire life history.
- [#14 Magic Moments](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/14-magic-moments/) - WASHINGTON, DC November 27, 2009 STRANGER: Michael Chamberlin LOCATION: Thaiphoon, 2011 S Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Dining with a magician/stage director Michael Chamberlin certainly knows the art of magic. At the end of our dinner together in Washington, DC, I asked Michael -- a professional magician -- to improvise a trick using just the
- [#13 The Heart Of Rock And Roll](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/13-the-heart-of-rock-and-roll/) - NEW ORLEANS August 29, 2009 STRANGER: Buzzy "Beano" Langford LOCATION: Bayona, 430 Rue Dauphine, New Orleans THEME: Meal with a musician New Orleans isn't one of the cities among those mentioned in Huey Lewis' hit song “The Heart Of Rock And Roll” as keeping that particular type of music alive. While first thoughts of the
- [#11 In The Picture](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/11-in-the-picture/) - NEW YORK CITY August 15, 2009 STRANGER: Lars Stephan LOCATION: Diner, 85 Broadway, Brooklyn, New York City THEME: Prying into a photographer's life If Lars Stephan is a narcissistic, he's the nicest one I've met. However, after having dinner with the photographer Lars and learning how he got into his profession I can confidently state
- [#9 A Slice Of Pizza](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/9-a-slice-of-pizza/) - Lunch with the founders of Washington, DC-based pizza chain Pete's Apizza, specializing in New Haven-style pizza
- [#10 Enter Cecil, Stage Right](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/10-enter-cecil-stage-right/) - A lunchtime interview in New York City with actor Cecil Baldwin
- [#8 She Loves New York](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/8-she-loves-new-york/) - NEW YORK CITY May 10, 2009 STRANGER: Gretchen Auer LOCATION: Ta Cocina, 714 9th Avenue, New York City THEME: Big fan of the Big Apple Like the saying on one of those t-shirts with the love hearts you can find from any street vendor in Manhattan, Gretchen Auer hearts New York. Gretchen, born and raised
- [#7 No Regrets](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/7-no-regrets/) - NEW YORK CITY May 9, 2009 STRANGER: Lynda Eselp LOCATION: AOC Bistro, 259 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York City THEME: Breaking bread in Brooklyn Despite working non-stop from dusk to dawn handling a career, college and children, Lynda Eselp is an amazingly cheery person with a simple outlook on life: “I don’t regret any of
- [#6 Clowning Around](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/6-clowning-around/) - SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA March 26, 2009 STRANGER: Diego Barquinero LOCATION: The Counter, 2901 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California THEME: Chatting with a clown I rode in a clown car. On a Thursday night in March, I stepped into a clown car. Full disclosure, it wasn't the usual kind of clown car with doors that
- [#5 The Prince Of Petworth](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/5-the-prince-of-petworth/) - Dinner with Dan Silverman, creator of the popular D.C. website "Prince of Petworth"
- [#4 The Curious Case Of Benjamin Franklin](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/85-2/) - Benjamin Franklin impersonator Ralph Archbold explains during a meal at Philadelphia's City Tavern how he got into a career as a Founding Father.
- [#3 The Eager Beaver Diva With The Unconstricted Boa](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/3-the-eager-beaver-diva-with-the-unconstricted-boa/) - Cuban singer Margarita Practan (from Clive James' TV shows) tells all about her life during a dinner interview in New York City.
- [#1 My Dinner With Joseph](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/dinner-1/) - Chatting with my friend Joe Matar about the launch of Dining With Strangers, a website featuring interviews with strangers during breakfast, lunch, dinner, or supper.
- [#78 FuckUp Nights](https://diningwithstrangers.com/the-dinners/78-fuckup-nights/) - WASHINGTON, DC JULY 30, 2015 STRANGER: Meredith Denbow LOCATION: Jyoti, 2433 18th Street NW, Washington, DC THEME: Learning about a group that discusses business failures I don't like to swear, something that's been with me all my life given my father's disdain for curse words. And I know he reads these interviews -- or at least

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://diningwithstrangers.com/category/uncategorized/)
- [Dinners](https://diningwithstrangers.com/category/dinners/)
- [News](https://diningwithstrangers.com/category/news/)
- [Podcasts](https://diningwithstrangers.com/category/podcast/)
- [Restaurant Reviews](https://diningwithstrangers.com/category/restaurants/)
- [Travel Plans](https://diningwithstrangers.com/category/travels/)
- [Throwback Thursday](https://diningwithstrangers.com/category/throwback-thursday/)

## Tags

- [demetrius harmon](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/demetrius-harmon/)
- [meechonmars interview](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/meechonmars-interview/)
- [demtrius harmon](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/demtrius-harmon/)
- [meechienomars](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/meechienomars/)
- [demetrius harmon interview](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/demetrius-harmon-interview/)
- [freaky boiz](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/freaky-boiz/)
- [ttgotit](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/ttgotit/)
- [prince pierre](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/prince-pierre/)
- [pierre charming](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/pierre-charming/)
- [pierre phipps](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/pierre-phipps/)
- [terrence wilson](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/terrence-wilson/)
- [freaky bois](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/freaky-bois/)
- [freaky boys rap](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/freaky-boys-rap/)
- [jane lynch](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/jane-lynch/)
- [kate flannery](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/kate-flannery/)
- [christmas show](https://diningwithstrangers.com/tag/christmas-show/)